‘Shocked’ Kohli dedicates 71st ton to Anushka, daughter

TIL Desk Sports/ 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 in Dubai on Thursday.

Kohli scored his first international hundred after 1021 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 wife, actor Anushka Sharma for standing behind him like a rock during his turbulent times.