Virat scores his eagerly awaited 71st international century to help India defeat Afghanistan at the 2022 Asia Cup with a score of 212/2

At the ongoing Asia Cup 2022, India's star batsman Virat Kohli hit his much awaited 71st international century on Thursday, leading India to a commanding 212/2 in their 20 overs against Afghanistan.

The 119-run partnership between KL Rahul (62) and Virat Kohli (122) helped Team India post a significant total, but this inning will also be remembered for Virat's much-anticipated century after more than two years.

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 truly started to swing, as Virat smashed bowler 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 was 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 over Afghanistan. The two maintained a strong pace for the scoreboard. With Rahul (42*) and Virat (44*), India had 87 runs at the conclusion of 10 overs. Virat added a single to reach his 33rd half-century in the format. KL Rahul assisted the squad in reaching 100.In 11.2 overs, he reached the run mark with a four and added another four to reach fifty.

Medium-pacer In the 13th over, Fareed Malik broke the pair's 119-run partnership by removing Rahul for 62 runs off 41 balls as the batter was caught by Najibullah Zadran at long-on.

Virat and Pant persisted in their onslaught on the Afghan bowlers. With two overs remaining, Pant and Virat brought up their 50-run partnership. Virat was the aggressor and relentlessly smashed boundaries. Virat started living in the 1990s. Finally, he scored his much-anticipated 71st century in international play and his first in T20Is. Virat Kohli (122*) and Rishabh Pant (20*) helped India close its innings at 212/2. फरीद Afghanistan's 2/57 was taken by Malik.

The following batsman, Suryakumar Yadav, launched his innings with a six on the opening delivery, but Fareed quickly claimed his wicket. On the crease, Rishabh Pant was standing. Along with Virat, he kept the scoreboard ticking and led India into the final five without suffering any further loss. India had 134/2 at the conclusion of 15 overs thanks to Pant (6*) and Virat (59*).