Former Pakistani fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar gushed in praise of both Virat Kohli and his wife, Anuskha Sharma, following the Indian batter’s record 71st international century which he recorded against Afghanistan on Thursday in Dubai, bowing out of the Asia Cup 2022 on a high.
Kohli eventually broke his 1020-day century-less rut and slammed his maiden T20I ton on Thursday. The 33-year-old smoked 12 fours and 6 sixes in his knock, en route to his highest T20 score of 122* which he scored in 61 balls.
With skipper Rohit Sharma being rested from this dead rubber, Kohli opened the batting alongside KL Rahul. After a conservative start, the 33-year-old stepped on the paddle to reach his fifty in the 11th over. From the 14th over, Kohli accelerated like he used to in his heydays – he went from 59 off 40 balls to 100 off 53 balls ending up with 122 off 61, scoring his last 63 runs from only 21 balls!
Shoaib Akhtar hails Virat Kohli’s wife, Anuskha, as the “iron lady”
After the game Kohli spoke at length about how his wife, Anushka, had helped him see the right perspective during this tough period earlier. Kohli had been on a six-week break before the Asia Cup. He had been struggling for form and consistency for the last two years, during the time, he said, his wife remained his supporting pillar mentally.
Shoaib Akhtar heard Kohli’s eulogy for his wife and was impressed by Anushka; he applauded the Bollywood actress’ efforts to keep Kohli in the right mindset.
“Congratulations to you, Virat Kohli, you are a man of great nerve. Keep growing and you are a very good person. You always support the truth and that’s why nothing bad will happen to you at the end remember, you will always be remembered as the greatest in the history of cricket,” said Akhtar on his Youtube channel.
“Virat Kohli stated in his post-match interview that ‘she’s seen the worst side of me’, vo apni begum ke baare me baat kar rahe the (He was talking about his wife). Hats off to Anushka Sharma, well done! You are an iron lady and he is the man made with steel, Mr. Virat Kohli,” Akhtar hailed the couple.
Virat Kohli dedicated his century to his wife Anushka and daughter Vamika
After reaching his century – via a swatted six off Fareed Ahmad – Kohli celebrated rather mutedly, but he did acknowledge his wife’s contribution to his success by his trademark kiss to his ring locket which has Anushka’s initials engraved on it.
We have seen Kohli celebrate his milestone in recent years by kissing his wedding ring. In the mid-innings break, speaking to the broadcasters Kohli gave a lot of credit to his wife and dedicated his century to Anushka and their daughter, Vamika.
“It was indeed (the celebrations was worth a 1000 words). Very blessed, very grateful right now. The last two and half years has taught me a lot,” Kohli said.
“I kissed my ring in the celebrations as well, you see me standing like this right now and all the things being put in perspective has been done by one person, who stood by me through all these difficult times that is Anushka. This hundred is specially dedicated to her and our little daughter Vamika as well. When you have someone next to you, having conversations, putting the things in right perspective like I have been and Anushka has been by my side through these times, time away from the game has taught me a lot of things,” Kohli opened up on his emotions.
