Kohli's ton brings solace to fans

It had been coming and it has finally arrived and how. Virat Kohli has struck a ton.

The best thing about a Virat Kohli innings is his intent and the touch of class one has come to expect from him. This was the same Kohli who had appeared to take a break after 70 international tons, his last one having come against Bangladesh in Kolkata in 2019.

Yesterday's 61-ball unbeaten 122 against Afghanistan in the Asia Cup Super 4 was Kohli's first T20I ton and had all the grace and class of the Virat Kohli of old. It was emotional and for a few it was a great night to be here.

There is no way one can relate Kohli's barren patch to the surreal career he has had. That this period without a century -- stretching to 1020 days -- was painstaking had already been made clear. Questions remained whether he was now on his way back after a few good knocks at the Asia Cup.

Those questions have been answered with utmost class.

Four India fans from Lucknow had shown up to watch the Asia Cup and they were feeling lucky.

"Really feeling lucky tonight," one fan told The Daily Star at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium as they gathered below the media centre, waiting for a commentator they knew from the broadcast team.

"We have all come to watch the Asia Cup. India are out of the tournament so most fans did not bother showing up. But we came so we could watch India play," one of the fans said, feeling connected to the event as part of a niche group of fans that made it to the game today.

"Did not think it would happen but feeling really emotional. When he was coming back after the ton, I was bowing and crying," the happiest of the four said.

For Kohli, there were emotions that must have been bubbling to the surface as he talked to the broadcasters after the first innings.

"Last two and a half years have taught me a lot. I am going to turn 34 in a month," Kohli said at the innings break today.

There was no over the top celebration. He took off his helmet and raised his bat before kissing his wedding ring. He was just grateful, not so dissimilar in the way the fans felt at being able to turn up to watch his special innings today. There had been pumped up celebrations in the past and even in the recent series against England, it all looked a bit forced when he was celebrating wickets.

"So those angry celebrations are a thing of the past. Actually I was shocked. This is the last format I thought. It was an accumulation of a lot of things. The team has been open and helpful. I know there was a lot of stuff going outside. And I kissed my ring. You see me standing here because one person has put things in perspective for me. That's Anushka [Sharma]. This hundred is for her and for our little daughter Vamika as well," he said, adding that he was starting to enjoy the game again.

A special knock and a positive for India in this tournament as they now look for more Kohli masterclass with the World Cup just a few months away. Their man is truly back.