Team India defeated Afghanistan in the Super 4 clash to finish their campaign in the ongoing Asia Cup 2022 on a high note. Put to bat first, the Men in Blue completely dominated the proceedings, posting a mammoth total on the board.
After more than 1000 days of wait, star batter Virat Kohli ended his century drought, smashing his 71st ton in international cricket. The former India skipper, who last scored a ton in November 2019, demolished the Afghanistan bowlers all over the park and brought up his maiden hundred in the shortest format.
With his ton, Kohli also joined Rohit Sharma in the elite list of batters who have smashed 100 T20I sixes and also equalled former Australia skipper Ricky Ponting for maximum centuries in the international arena.
Notably, Kohli opened India’s inning as regular skipper Rohit was rested. Team India got off to a flying start as Kohli and stand-in captain KL Rahul came out all guns blazing against the Afghans. The duo added 119 runs for the opening wicket before Rahul departed for 62. Kohli, however, remained unbeaten at 122 of just 61 deliveries with the help of 18 boundaries, including 6 sixes and propelled the team’s total to 212/2 in 20 overs.
In response, Afghanistan were completely bulldozed by Indian bowling, as they only managed to reach 111/8 in their allotted 20 overs, losing the contest by 101 runs.
Indian pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar wreaked havoc at Dubai International Stadium, bagging a brilliant five-wicket haul for just 4 runs in his quota of 4 overs, including a maiden. For Afghanistan, Ibrahim Zadran was their top scorer with an unbeaten 64 from 59 deliveries.
Here is how Twitter reacted:
The milestone we’d all been waiting for and here it is!
71st International Century for @imVkohli #AsiaCup2022 #INDvAFGpic.twitter.com/hnjA953zg9
— BCCI (@BCCI) September 8, 2022
The great is back @imVkohli
— Hassan Ali 🇵🇰 (@RealHa55an) September 8, 2022
Well done champion kohli @imVkohli happy to see you getting a 100 #indvsafghanistan #AsiaCup2022
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) September 8, 2022
@imVkohli dancing again! What a lovely sight
— AB de Villiers (@ABdeVilliers17) September 8, 2022
Absolutely master class from @imVkohli
He showed the world tonight what he is made off.
Though it’s almost a dead rubber game for India in this Asia cup,
But in form cheeku will b absolute gold for India in coming World Cup۔
#GOAT— Ahmad Shahzad 🇵🇰 (@iamAhmadshahzad) September 8, 2022
You can delay class all you want to, don’t even think of denying it.
That ton? Worth it’s weight in gold. That smile? Priceless. Shine on, champ. @imVkohli— Sunil Chhetri (@chetrisunil11) September 8, 2022
The 71st is finally here, long wait but worth it. What composed and powerful innings and statement from Virat Kohli. Maza aagaya! #INDvsAFG #asiacup2022 @imVkohli pic.twitter.com/4MQWG0zg00
— Rumman Raees (@rummanraees15) September 8, 2022
No Words to describe the emotions. All hearts. This is Virat Kohli 2.0 and he is ready to take the world by storm. @imVkohli 🦁 pic.twitter.com/cYXWKwn4yT
— Siddharthh Kaul (@iamsidkaul) September 8, 2022
Maiden T20 century , so happy for you @imVkohli You totally deserved it Immense respect for such a brilliant innings #INDvAFG pic.twitter.com/H1EVC1N86A
— Suresh Raina🇮🇳 (@ImRaina) September 8, 2022
Nothing can buy this respect.. this is what a cricker plays for. A brilliant hundred @imVkohli. We Hope we don’t have to wait so long for your 72nd century. #IndvsAFG pic.twitter.com/p65KDdOtKo
— Amit Mishra (@MishiAmit) September 8, 2022
Take a bow @imVkohli form is temporary class is permanent! Fabulous knock keep shining
— Angelo Mathews (@Angelo69Mathews) September 8, 2022
King Kohli is back & in what great form! This century was so well deserved @imVkohli The nation is going to be celebrating this for a long time now! #ViratKohli #GOAT #RPSwing pic.twitter.com/jUUB63qvbe
— R P Singh रुद्र प्रताप सिंह (@rpsingh) September 8, 2022
Exceptional #100 @imVkohli #IndianCricketTeam #INDvsAFG #AsiaCupT20 pic.twitter.com/fxBUYkHYXG
— Munaf Patel (@munafpa99881129) September 8, 2022
Century after 1021 days! His first in T20Is. What a day for Virat Kohli and Indian cricket! More centuries to come. @imVkohli #AsiaCup2022 pic.twitter.com/WZWglIZVbu
— Yusuf Pathan (@iamyusufpathan) September 8, 2022
The 71st is here!
A hundred after nearly three years for Virat Kohli #INDvAFG | #AsiaCup2022 | Scorecard: https://t.co/z8iw8dn85Q pic.twitter.com/qyp1cHiOsX
— ICC (@ICC) September 8, 2022
