He is back!
Those three words were once famously used to announce Magic Johnson’s return to the NBA and the Los Angeles Lakers back in 1996. The whole of America was buzzing with excitement as his comeback was celebrated nationwide. Now, those very words can easily be applied to Virat Kohli.
On Sunday night, the Indian batting maestro made a grand return to form and what a way to do it! He crafted a flawless century, a knock filled with sheer class and impeccable technique. It wouldn’t be surprising if the entire nation is caught up in a “he is back” euphoria once again.
By smashing his 51st ODI century, which was also his 81st overall in international cricket, Kohli silenced his doubters in some style. It was his 28th century in an ODI run-chase, his sixth in an ICC tournament, first in the Champions Trophy, and only his second in a run-chase since 2020. An innings like this was bound to leave his critics speechless while his fans rejoiced.
This special knock of an unbeaten 100 came against Pakistan in a crucial Champions Trophy league fixture, further reinforcing the famous saying “cometh the hour, cometh the man.” Perhaps now, it should be “cometh Pakistan, cometh Kohli” because rarely has he faltered against India’s biggest rivals.
For the past several months, Kohli’s form had been under scrutiny. Runs were hard to come by, and his struggles led to a serious debate about his place in the team. But the answer to all the doubts came, not from Kohli himself, but from the Pakistan captain.
“He comes to such big matches, the kind the whole world waits for, and he makes batting look easy. Everyone said he was out of form, but he showed up in this massive game,” said Mohammad Rizwan after Kohli’s unbeaten 100, which virtually knocked Pakistan out of the tournament. India secured victory by six wickets.
Kohli had been criticized for not staying at the crease long enough and repeatedly getting dismissed on the off-side. But on Sunday, he flipped the script. His approach had clearly changed. There was a conscious effort to play the ball squarer instead of the straighter bat path that had troubled him before.
“With his backlift and grip, he must have realized that playing too straight was actually working against him. By using angles and playing squarer, he improved his chances of success. Avoiding straight shots and instead playing with the angle of the ball, like he did today, will surely bring him the rewards he deserves,” said a well-known IPL team coach.
It’s often said that when a batter is out of form, they tend to tighten up. “In reality, that’s exactly why Kohli’s slump lasted longer than it should have for a player of his caliber. This incorrect approach, despite his greatness, contributed to his struggles. He should have focused on adapting to his unique grip and backlift, which have always been the keys to his success,” the coach further explained.
Kohli’s unbeaten 100 was not a boundary-fest. It had just seven fours and came off 111 balls at a strike rate of 90. But his off-side play was outstanding. One deliberate uppish shot off Naseem Shah got him to his half-century, while the four that brought up his century was a classic drive through extra cover. Earlier in his innings, a crisp push through off-side off Haris Rauf raced to the fence. It all looked majestic.
The best part of his knock was the composure and belief he showed. It was evident that he had been doing everything he could to shake off his poor form. The day before the match, he arrived at the nets an hour before the rest of the team and practiced hard.
“See, I never felt Virat was struggling for runs. It’s just his mindset over the years. He’s always hungry for runs, and I remember he came to practice almost an hour early yesterday. He played a few balls and looked as sharp as ever. So, to be honest, I never believed he was struggling for form,” said Shreyas Iyer, who stitched together a crucial 114-run partnership with Kohli for the third wicket.
Rizwan too was in awe of Kohli’s dedication. “I am surprised by his hard work. I have to praise his fitness and effort. We tried everything to get him out, but he still took the game away from us. He has put in a lot of work,” he said.
Rohit Sharma summed it up best. “That’s what he’s known for. We’ve seen it over the years. No one inside the dressing room is surprised by what he did. It was great for him to be out there and finish the game.”
This century was particularly significant given his recent struggles. Since his hundred in the Perth Test during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, he had gone seven innings without a fifty. Even in a Ranji game for Delhi, he got out cheaply. A recent half-century against England in Ahmedabad was far from convincing, and in the first Champions Trophy match against Bangladesh, he fell to the off-side trap again.
Kohli himself reflected on his innings. “I have a decent understanding of my game. It’s about keeping the outside noise away, staying in my space, and taking care of my energy and thoughts. It’s easy to get caught up in expectations, but my job is to stay present and do my duty for the team. I always give my 100 percent in every ball I play, and eventually, God rewards you.”
Well, it’s safe to say now, Virat Kohli is, without a doubt, back!
