Asia Cup 2022: Virat Kohli dedicates 71st international century to wife Anushka Sharma, daughter Vamika

It was a memorable outing for former India skipper Virat Kohli against Afghanistan in what was India’s final game of the Asia Cup 2022, as he went on to claim his 71^st international century. Kohli ended the dry spell of international tons and hit his first hundred since November 2019, which also turned out to be his maiden T20I hundred.

Kohli achieved the feat with a brilliant six and had a big smile on his face as he celebrated the century. Kohli then kissed his wedding ring that he wears on a chain around his neck, and also looked a little emotional. Why would not he be? The century had come in after a prolonged gap of 1021 days.

This hundred is for Anushka and for our little daughter Vamika: Kohli

Thanks to his ton, India finished scoring a massive 212/2, and Kohli was overjoyed when he walked in for a chat with Sanjay Manjrekar as he said:

“Last two and a half years have taught me a lot. I am going to turn 34 in a month," says Virat Kohli. So those angry celebrations are a thing of the past. Actually, I was shocked. This is the last format I thought. It was an accumulation of a lot of things. The team has been open and helpful. I know there was a lot of stuff going outside.”

“And I kissed my ring. You see me standing here because one person has put things in perspective for me. That's Anushka. This hundred is for her and for our little daughter Vamika as well. When you have someone next to you having conversations putting things in perspective, like Anushka has been… when I came back I was not desperate. Six weeks off I was refreshed. I realised how tired I was. Competitiveness doesn't allow it, but this break allowed me enjoy the game again,” Kohli added.

It surely was an emotional moment for not just Kohli, but also for the entire cricketing fraternity. The former India skipper had faced a lot of criticism and backlash for not being in form with the bat, but he shut all the tolls and critics and gained his mojo back while playing in the Asia Cup. Kohli smashed two centuries and a ton in the five games that he played, thereby breaking the jinx.