Virat Kohli (Image credit: BCCI/IPL)
Nearly two years after stepping away from T20Is and a year after bidding farewell to Tests, Virat Kohli continues to show that the competitive spirit burns undiminished.After consecutive ducks had briefly raised questions, he responded on Wednesday night in the only way he knows — with a statement innings. And not just any innings, but an unbeaten 105 off 60 balls that powered Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a six-wicket victory over Kolkata Knight Riders in a chase of 193. This was the chase master at his most familiar and formidable — composed early on, ruthless once the asking rate climbed, and rock-solid through the middle overs when the contest threatened to drift. Kohli brought up his ninth IPL century in 58 deliveries, but the landmark barely interrupted his rhythm. The tempo never dipped, the intent never wavered.“The celebration was not a big one because we know the importance of the points,” Kohli said after guiding RCB to the top of the table. “The fact that I did not score runs, it eats me up because I have been playing well. It bothers you because that has been the goal — to be the best version. Century or no century, the more important thing is to finish the game.”
After the brief lull, a touch of nerves might have been in-evitable. Instead, the former RCB captain embraced the pressure.“There is a reason people say pressure is a privilege — it keeps you humble. Good pressure always helps you improve your game. A couple of games that do not go your way, you feel a bit of nervousness, and that helps you. It takes a lot of effort, but it helps your game go up. Those failures are important.”It was a vintage Kohli show in Raipur. He timed the ball with precision and collected singles and twos with the same intensity that has long defined his batting. “Just my positions at the crease, not doing anything extravagant and backing my game. Picking length, hitting the gaps I can hit,” said Kohli after hitting his 10th T20 century — the most by an Indian in the format.And yet, beneath the calm and after a record-breaking knock, there remains the hunger that has always driven the IPL’s most-capped player. “I just love batting,” he said. “It is an honour to be competing at this level and against the very best still. I give my heart and soul out there because it is going to finish one day.“I want to make the most of it, and look forward to pressure situations, where I am feeling a bit of heat, and then I challenge myself to just go for it. Sport teaches you a lot. Even after all these years, it is the love for the game. I love hitting the ball in the middle of the bat. That joy is still there,” said Kohli.
