According to India skipper Rohit Sharma, the “biggest strength” of former captain and his teammate Virat Kohli is his extremely dedicated “work ethic” and his attitude to not let the things go no matter what the situation.
Rohit Sharma, who was rested from the dead rubber against Afghanistan, heaped rich praises on Kohli, who completed his 71st century in international cricket, ending the drought that had extended for 1020 days and 81 international innings.
Opening the innings, Kohli slammed 122 unbeaten runs off 61 balls, smoking 12 fours and 6 sixes in his enterprising knock.
Virat Kohli joins Ricky Ponting with 71 international centuries
Kohli’s maiden T20I century, in tandem with 62 from KL Rahul, meant India posted a mammoth total of 212/2, chasing which Afghanistan fell 101 runs short as Bhuvneshwar Kumar starred with the ball taking a five-wicket haul.
Kohli had also notched up back-to-back fifties against Hong Kong and Pakistan. At the moment, he the leading run-scorer in the Asia Cup 2022: Kohli finished the tournament with 276 runs in 5 innings with the help of 2 fifties and a century.
Speaking in a video for the BCCI after the match, Rohit interviewed Kohli where the India skipper also made his opinions public on Kohli’s strengths. Rohit also admired the way Kohli has continued to bat in his mould realizing he isn’t a big six-hitter contrary to what many feel is required in T20 cricket.
Rohit said: “The biggest strength of yours is obviously your work ethic, never to let it go no matter what the situation is – that was evident in the three knocks that you played. In T20 cricket, we talk about big hitting and all. [But] today was a perfect example of without focusing too much on big hitting. So that was wonderful to see, and I know it personally because I have seen you bat long enough.”
T20 World Cup is my goal: Virat Kohli
Even though India were knocked out of the Asia Cup 2022, Virat Kohli’s return to his best form is the biggest positive for the Men In Blue. Kohli was on a month-long break before the Asia Cup where he didn’t even touch the bat for a long time. With the T20 World Cup only a month away, this century, and this successful tournament augurs well for Kohli and Team India.
“Personally, after returning from my biggest break [of more than a month] in 12-13 years, wherein I didn’t even touch the bat. So, a lot of things got into the right perspective. After that, the communication was clear from you and the management to let me play with freedom. So the space you guys provided me was crucial to me. I felt relaxed when I came back; I was excited to contribute, moreover because of the upcoming World Cup where I want to contribute,” Kohli said.
