Indian talisman Virat Kohli had to go through a rough patch in the last few years and he has come back strongly after taking his lessons. Kohli has always tried to keep things simple and the desperation at bay, to get the best out of himself.
And now, he is once again reaping rewards for following his methods. The right-hander, who had to wait for an International hundred like a wanderer looking for water in a desert, scored his third century in the last four months.
Kohli was playing his maiden match of 2023 and he announced himself in style against Sri Lanka. The veteran got off to a quick start, racing to 18 off the first 12 balls, and didn’t look back.
Kohli had the rub of the green on his side as he was gifted two lives by Sri Lanka wicket-keeper Kusal Mendis and captain Dasun Shanaka when he was on 52 and 81 respectively and the 34-year-old accepted them with both hands to score his century off 80 balls.
The former captain went on score 113 off 87 with the help of a dozen fours and one six. Ergo, he played an instrumental role in lifting India’s score to 373 runs after the hosts were put into bat by Dasun Shanaka.
Kohli was awarded the Player of the Match after India took a 1-0 lead after winning the first ODI at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati comprehensively by 67 runs.
Kohli said in the post-match presentation, “I don’t think there was anything different. My preparation and intent always remain the same. I thought I was hitting the ball nicely. It was close to the template I play with, I understood we needed an extra 25-30 runs. I tried to understand the conditions in the second half. Tried to get a comfortable total for us on the board.”
He added on his experience of going through a rough patch, “The one thing I learnt was desperation doesn’t get you anywhere. You do not need to complicate things. You go out there and play without any fear, I can’t hold on to things. You have to play for the right reasons and almost play every game like it’s your last and just be happy about it. The game is going to move on. I am not going to play forever, I am in a happy space and enjoying my time playing.”
Kohli will look to continue the good show in the upcoming two matches of the series. The second ODI will be played at Eden Gardens, Kolkata on Thursday.
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