Much of a mediocre run at the DP Asia Cup 2022, India did not manage to get a big one in the bag as they didn’t qualify for the final of the tournament, this is due to their below par performance in the league stages of the tournament.
However, the most positive outcome of the tournament was getting to see the former skipper Virat Kohli get his groove back, the batter got his much awaited 71st international ton and the first in the shortest format of the game. Kohli achieved this feat during the Super 4 match against Afghanistan.
Virat Kohli made 122 off just 61 balls. His last international ton came back in 2019 in a Pink Ball Test match against Bangladesh at Kolkata.
Moreover, after getting to the three-digit mark, Virat took a moment and appreciated his wife, actress Anushka Sharma and daughter Vamika for being such pillars of strength in these tough times.
“Last two and a half years have taught me a lot. I am going to turn 34 in November. So, those celebrations are a thing of the past. Actually, I was bit shocked. This was a format where I least expected a ton. I have been working hard and this is a very special moment for me and for the team as well,” Virat Kohli had said after scoring his century.
“It was an accumulation of a lot of things. The team has been open and helpful. It gave me space to work on my game. I know there was a lot of stuff going on my outside. They really kept my perspective right. And I kissed my ring in the celebration as well. You see me standing here because of all the things that has been put into perspective by one person, who stood by me through all these difficult times – that’s Anushka. This hundred is dedicated to her and for our little daughter Vamika as well,” he added.
These words from the King have left former Australian cricketer Ricky Ponting completely moved, the Aussie appreciated the batter and said such things go unspoken in men’s sports.
“It’s great to see him back in the runs. Great to see him back with a smile on his face. That’s the thing you know? He was so happy, and I guess (he’s) relieved at the end of that game. He obviously spoke very fondly about his wife’s influence on the last couple of years of his life as well, which is also very nice to hear. A lot of that stuff goes unspoken about, in men’s sport in particular,” said Ponting on ICC Review.
“Just the impact that your family and your very close ones have on you through your career. So, it’s nice to hear that but also great to see Virat back in the runs again,” concluded the Australian World Cup winning captain.
