Was a bit shocked, least expected to score ton in T20 format, says Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli (illustration - Moneycontrol)

Virat Kohli reached the elusive three-figure mark after almost three years, albeit in a format “he least expected to”, when he struck a memorable 122 against Afghanistan in an inconsequential Asia Cup match here on Thursday.

Kohli scored his first international hundred after 989 days precisely to light up the dead rubber. His 71st hundred also puts him alongside the great Ricky Ponting in the list of most centuries. Sachin Tendulkar is still way ahead with 100 international tons.

“Last two and a half years have taught me a lot. I am going to turn 34 in a month. So those angry celebrations are a thing of the past,” said Kohli at the innings break. “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.”

Kohli credited his actress wife Anushka Sharma for standing behind him like a rock during his turbulent times.

“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 as 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 to enjoy the game again,” he said referring to his one-month break.

By his own admission, it was for the first time in 10 years that Kohli had not held his bat for a month.