Finally, the wait is over: King Virat Kohli has ended his century drought: Kohli registered his maiden T20I century, and 71st in international cricket, on Thursday in the dead rubber against Afghanistan in Dubai.
India skipper Rohit Sharma being rested gave the way for Virat Kohli to bat at the opening position – arguably his best position in T20 cricket, from where he’s smashed 5 IPL centuries. And today, he got to his first three-figure score in T20Is.
Alike many, even Kohli himself wasn’t expecting himself to get to a T20I century because it is his least suited format of the three. Nonetheless, Kohli and India will take this century in what were some damp last four days given India were eliminated from the race to the final following defeats to Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
Virat Kohli dedicates his 71st century to his wife and daughter

Virat Kohli and KL Rahul were slightly conservative at the start, scoring 28 runs in the first four overs, before Kohli broke his shackles, that too against mystery spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman, smoking the spinner for two fours and a six. He continued to attack after the powerplay, slamming Nabi and Rashid to the fence before raising his half-century in the 11th over.

After the dismissals of KL Rahul and Suryakumar Yadav in the 13th over, Kohli shed down a little but then stepped on the paddle from the 16th over. First he took down Rashid Khan with a maximum over cow corner, then thumped pacers Fareed Ahmad and Fazalhaq Farooqi for four boundaries between them.
He raced from 60 (41) to 90 (51). While fans thought Kohli should just slow down, and be a bit careful as he’s nearing his century, the KING had other plans: the first two balls of the 19th over, Kohli walloped Ahmad for 4 and 6 to bring up his hundred.
The Indian dressing room went up in applause, Kohli’s arms rose in the sky and he could only keep on smiling. Relieved. Blessed. His first century after a gap of 1020 days; his first century in 81 international innings. At a time when India needed a big positive from this Asia Cup campaign where they couldn’t qualify for the final.
While Kohli’s celebrations were subdued, Twitter erupted in joy and jubilation:
Knock knock mfs, the real KING is back. 💪#ViratKohli𓃵 pic.twitter.com/jtmCgpZaHZ
— Prayag (@theprayagtiwari) September 8, 2022
Off course king. #ViratKohli𓃵 pic.twitter.com/s47jRigiFB
— Prayag (@theprayagtiwari) September 8, 2022
When I spoke to him yesterday I knew something was brewing💪
Well played my friend— AB de Villiers (@ABdeVilliers17) September 8, 2022
so finally wait is over great 💯 by king kohli
— Mohammad Amir (@iamamirofficial) September 8, 2022
King Kohli for a reason. pic.twitter.com/BQUpbDbjO6
— Pakchikpak Raja Babu (@HaramiParindey) September 8, 2022
Yall tried dethroning the KING👑
Shameeeeeeee…#KingKohli #AsiaCupT20 #INDvsAFG— Riyan Paragg (@ParagRiyan) September 8, 2022
Virat Kohli said “One person who always stand behind me was Anushka, I always feel blessed”.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) September 8, 2022
Me right after Kohli scored his 71st pic.twitter.com/yGHlpBct7L
— Aman (@Humourlessly) September 8, 2022
India’s performance Kohli’s 71st
in last two matches Century pic.twitter.com/DccqsDUvlh— 🅱🆄🅽🅽🆈🥳🌈 (@aakash_lakhia) September 8, 2022
There is no way I have waited almost 4 years just for it to come on a casual evening like this 😭
— Kohli’s 71st ton (@samtanisonali1) September 8, 2022
This is for anyone who is struggling in life, hang on don’t loose hope keep working hard it shall pass.
The King Is Back 👑 #INDvsAFG pic.twitter.com/PtiidbmweU
— vi (@oyevivekk) September 8, 2022
The tension, pressure or whatever it is, it’s totally missing on Virat Kohli’s face and hence he is playing so freely and confidently. Scoring runs everywhere on the ground. GOAT! #IndvsAFG pic.twitter.com/sBHOYUrBi7
— Amit Mishra (@MishiAmit) September 8, 2022
71! Maybe a new beginning?
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) September 8, 2022