On September 8, 2022, during an Asia Cup match between India and Afghanistan, Virat Kohli ended a 1,021-day century drought in international cricket by scoring a 122* in 61 balls, his first century since November 2019. This innings marked a significant revival for the Indian batting star, who had faced challenges in maintaining his earlier prolific form.
Prior to this century, Kohli’s last international hundred had come against Bangladesh in a day-night Test match in Kolkata. Despite consistently scoring half-centuries in white-ball formats, Kohli struggled to convert these into centuries, particularly against spin bowling and deliveries outside off stump. His Test performances had also shown signs of vulnerability, with numerous starts curtailed before reaching three figures.
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Between his 70th and 71st centuries, Kohli scored 2,708 runs in 72 matches at an average of 36.1, including 26 fifties and a highest score of 94*. Although he ranked seventh among the world’s leading run-scorers during this period, the absence of a century led to increased criticism and calls to exclude him from the limited-overs squads ahead of key tournaments such as the Asia Cup 2022 and the T20 World Cup 2022.
Kohli admitted in an interview with Star Sports
Kohli admitted in an interview with Star Sports that he had been “faking his intensity” and feeling mentally exhausted, prompting a month-long break from cricket during which he did not bat. He stated, “For the first time in 10 years, I did not touch my bat for a month. I came to the realisation that I was trying to fake my intensity a bit recently. I was convincing myself that no, you had the intensity. But your body was telling you to stop. The mind was telling me to take a break and step back.” He further acknowledged feeling mentally down and emphasised the importance of recognising one’s limits.
Following his return, Kohli displayed improving form, culminating in the century against Afghanistan while opening the batting in the absence of a resting Rohit Sharma, with KL Rahul captaining India. The innings, comprising 12 fours and six sixes, contributed to India’s victory in the match and represented a crucial personal milestone for Kohli.
Since that innings, Kohli’s white-ball career has flourished. In One-Day Internationals (ODIs), he has scored 2,597 runs in 52 matches at an average of 63.34, including 11 centuries and 15 fifties, making him the second-highest ODI run-scorer globally since September 8, 2022. In Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is), he has accumulated 3,316 runs in 81 matches at an average of 51.01 and a strike rate of 146.53, featuring four centuries and 30 fifties. Overall, Kohli has amassed 5,913 runs in 133 white-ball matches at an average of 55.78, with 15 centuries and 45 fifties.
His achievements since the 71st century include winning
His achievements since the 71st century include winning the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 title, where he was named Player of the Match in the final with a 76-run innings against South Africa. He was also the Player of the Tournament during India’s record-breaking 765-run-winning campaign in the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup at home. Kohli surpassed Sachin Tendulkar’s record to become the holder of the most ODI centuries, currently with 54 ODI and 85 international centuries in total.
In domestic cricket, Kohli ended Royal Challengers Bangalore’s 18-year Indian Premier League (IPL) trophy drought by winning back-to-back titles. He became the first batsman to score over 600 runs in four consecutive IPL seasons, securing the Orange Cap in 2024 with 741 runs, including a century and five fifties, at a strike rate exceeding 154. He was also Player of the Match in the IPL 2026 final, scoring an unbeaten 75 in a successful chase against Gujarat Titans.
Additional accomplishments include winning the ICC Champions Trophy in 2025, where he earned Player of the Tournament honours after scoring a century against Pakistan and 84 in the semifinal against Australia, and receiving the ICC ODI Player of the Year Award in 2023, becoming the first cricketer to win 10 ICC awards. Kohli also became the fastest player to reach both 24,000 and 28,000 international runs.
In 2026, Kohli continues to perform strongly in ODIs, scoring 384 runs across six innings at an average of 64.00, including a century and three half-centuries, in pursuit of playing in and securing the 2027 50-over World Cup. His journey from a prolonged century drought to renewed success reflects resilience and determination as he seeks to add further milestones to his illustrious career.
Source: thenewsmill.com
