When Virat Kohli Ended His 1,021-Day Century Drought with a Breathtaking T20I Ton Against Afghanistan in 2022

• by Akanksha Mishra
• 2026-09-08 16:51:00

Cricket history is filled with magical milestones, but few moments carry as much emotional weight for fans as the unforgettable evening four years ago on September 8, 2022. Breaking an agonizing 1,021-day wait without a three-figure score, batting maestro Virat Kohli roared back to peak form during the Asia Cup Super Four match against Afghanistan in Dubai. Blasting an unbeaten 122 runs off just 61 deliveries at a blistering strike rate of 200, King Kohli treated spectators to a batting masterclass decorated with 12 scintillating boundaries and 6 massive sixes, etching his name permanently into T20 International history.

The Historic First T20I Century That Concluded a Three-Year Wait

Prior to that September evening, Virat Kohli's fans had endured a long dry spell since his 70th international hundred in November 2019. The pressure vanished in an instant as Kohli opened the innings and displayed supreme authority over the Afghan bowling attack. This remarkable milestone carried unique sentimental value for cricket enthusiasts worldwide, as it marked his maiden century in the T20 International format—a format from which he would eventually retire carrying this singular, flawless T20I hundred in his record books.

Team India's Commanding Total and Bhuvneshwar Kumar's Five-Wicket Haul Seal Victory

Riding on Kohli's phenomenal knock, Team India posted a mammoth total of 212 for 2 in their allotted 20 overs. The foundation was brilliantly laid by a stellar 119-run opening partnership off 76 balls between Kohli and stand-in captain KL Rahul, who contributed a fluent 62 runs from 41 balls featuring six fours and two sixes. Defending the massive target, Indian bowlers dismantled the opposition. Bhuvneshwar Kumar delivered a career-best spell, claiming five crucial wickets while conceding minimal runs, restricting Afghanistan to just 111 for 8 despite a fighting 64 by Ibrahim Zadran, thereby securing a comprehensive victory for India.

Virat Kohli's Illustrious International Career and Standing Among Legends

Since that watershed moment, Virat Kohli's legendary career has scaled even greater heights, bringing his total international century tally to an incredible 85. He currently stands proudly as the second-highest century maker in international cricket history, trailing only the legendary Sachin Tendulkar, who holds the all-time record with 100 centuries. Although Kohli has since retired from Test and T20 Internationals and now focuses exclusively on the ODI format, his legacy as one of the greatest chasers and match-winners the game has ever seen continues to inspire generations of cricket lovers across the globe.

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