Virat Kohli (Image credit: BCCI/IPL)
Almost two years after retiring from T20Is and a year after bidding farewell to Tests, Virat Kohli It shows that the competitive spirit does not diminish.After the Ducks briefly raised questions, he responded Wednesday night the only way he knows how — with a statement innings. And not just an innings, but an unbeaten 105 off 60 balls as Royal Challengers Bengaluru chased down 193 to win by six wickets against Kolkata Knight Riders. It was his most familiar and strong chasing master — composed early on, ruthless once the asking rate rose, and tough in the middle overs when the contest threatened to escalate. Kohli scored his ninth IPL century in 58 balls, but the landmark barely disrupted his rhythm. The pace never wavered, the determination never wavered.“The celebration was not big because we know the importance of points,” Kohli said after RCB went top of the table. “The fact that I didn’t score, it eats at me because I am playing well. It worries you because that has been the aim – to be the best version. Century or no century, the most important thing is to finish the game.”
After a short rest, a touch of nerves was inevitable. Instead, the former RCB skipper succumbed to the pressure.“There’s a reason people say pressure is a blessing – it keeps you humble. Good pressure always helps you improve your game. Some games that don’t go your way, you get a little nervous, and that helps you. It takes a lot of effort, but it helps you improve your game. Those failures are important.”It was a vintage Kohli show in Raipur. He times the ball with precision and collects singles and twos with the intensity that has long defined his batting. “Just my position at the crease, not doing anything extravagant and backing my game. Choosing lengths, hitting the gaps I can hit,” Kohli said after hitting his 10th T20 century.And yet, beneath the calm and after the record-breaking knock, there remains the hunger that has always consumed the IPL’s most capped player. “I just love batting,” he said. “It’s an honor to compete at this level and still against the best. I give my heart and soul there because it’s going to end one day.“I want to make the most of it, and wait for the pressure situations, where I’m feeling a bit hot, and then I challenge myself to just go for it. The game teaches you a lot. Even after all these years, it’s the love of the game. I love hitting the middle of the bat. That joy is still there,” Kohli said.
