The highest individual score by an Indian player in T20 international cricket was recorded by Virat Kohli on Thursday.
During the Super Four match versus Afghanistan in the currently taking place Asia Cup 2022, the top Indian batter reached this milestone. Finally, Virat completed his eagerly awaited 71st century. He hit 12 balls and six sixes in his 61-ball undefeated 122.
He has surpassed Rohit Sharma’s 2017 total of 118 against Sri Lanka. Suryakumar Yadav’s score of 117 against England in 2022, Rohit Sharma’s score of 111 against the West Indies in 2018, and KL Rahul’s undefeated 110 against the West Indies in 2016 come after it.
Regarding the game, India’s star batsman Virat Kohli scored his eagerly awaited 71st century in international play on Thursday, leading India to a whopping 212/2 in their 20 overs against Afghanistan in the last Super Four match of the current Asia Cup 2022.
Afghanistan sent Team India to bat first, and openers KL Rahul and Virat Kohli made a strong start. The duo’s dashing between the wickets was excellent as usual. In the third over, openers really started to swing, as Virat smashed pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi for two fours.
After that, KL and Virat gorged themselves on Afghan bowlers. In the sixth over, Virat Kohli, who had a sharp appearance, struck spinner Mujeeb ur Rahman for two fours and a six. India had 52/0 after six overs and the powerplay, with Virat (25) and Rahul (26) both remaining undefeated.
Even after the powerplay, Virat and KL maintained their dominance against Afghanistan. The two maintained a strong pace for the scoreboard. India had 87/0 after 10 overs thanks to Rahul’s (42) and Virat’s (44) contributions.
With a single, Virat reached his 33rd half-century in the format. With a four in 11.2 overs, KL Rahul assisted the team in reaching the 100-run milestone. He then added another four to his fifty-run total on the following ball.
In the 13th over, medium-pacer Fareed Malik broke the pair’s 119-run partnership by removing Rahul for 62 off 41 balls when the batsman was caught by long-on fielder Najibullah Zadran.
Suryakumar Yadav was next and he opened his innings with a six on the very first ball, but Fareed took his wicket on the very next ball.
On the crease, Rishabh Pant was standing. Along with Virat, he kept the scoreboard ticking and led India into the last five without suffering any additional loss. India had 134/2 at the conclusion of 15 overs thanks to Pant (6) and Virat (59).
Virat and Pant persisted in their onslaught on the Afghan bowlers. Virat was the one who attacked and ruthlessly struck the boundaries.
Pant-Virat brought up their 50-run stand with two overs remaining. Virat started living in the 1990s. Finally, he scored his first century in T20Is and his much-awaited 71st international century.
With the contributions of Virat Kohli (122) and Rishabh Pant (20), India’s innings were over at 212/2. Afghanistan received 2/57 from Fareed Malik. Finally, Virat completed his eagerly awaited 71st century. He hit 12 balls and six sixes in his 61-ball undefeated 122.
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