The words that once echoed across the basketball world for Magic Johnson now perfectly fit the return of another sporting icon—Virat Kohli. The Indian batting maestro, who had been battling a prolonged lean patch, silenced his critics in the most Virat Kohli way possible—with an unbeaten century in a high-stakes game against Pakistan in the Champions Trophy.

Sunday night wasn’t just another century. Yeh ek statement tha, a declaration that the King is back and here to reign once again. For months, the debates around Kohli’s form had intensified. Was he finished? Could he still deliver in pressure situations? Bhai ne sab critics ka muh bandh kar diya with an innings that was both classy and authoritative. You can bet on cricket matches here

When Pakistan Arrives, So Does Kohli!
It is often said, cometh the hour, cometh the man. But for Indian cricket fans, the phrase might as well be cometh Pakistan, cometh Kohli! Kohli’s love affair with Pakistan in ICC events is well-documented. From his century in the 2012 Asia Cup to his masterclass in the 2022 T20 World Cup, he has rarely faltered against India’s arch-rivals.

His latest century—his 51st in ODIs, 81st in international cricket, 28th in run-chases, and sixth in ICC tournaments—was a reminder of why he remains one of the greatest chasers in cricket history. The way he soaked in the pressure and guided India to victory was nothing short of a masterclass in composure and technique.

Lean Patch? Kya Lean Patch?
For the last six months, Kohli’s form had been a hot topic of discussion. He struggled to get big scores, fell cheaply in crucial games, and even in domestic cricket, he failed to leave an impact. Log keh rahe the ki ab toh Virat Kohli ka time khatam ho gaya.

The off-side had become a problem area. Bowlers repeatedly exploited his tendency to push at deliveries outside off, leading to a string of dismissals. But great players adapt, and that’s exactly what Kohli did. On Sunday, there was a clear shift in his approach. Instead of playing straight, he adjusted his bat angle, playing the ball squarer to reduce the risk.

“Playing straight was counterintuitive for him. By playing squarer and using angles, he maximized his chances of success,” explained a renowned IPL coach. Aur yahi toh asli class hoti hai – problem aaye toh solution nikalne ki aadat.

Minimal Risk, Maximum Impact
Kohli’s 100 off 111 balls wasn’t an explosive knock filled with towering sixes, but rather a clinical display of control and calculated strokeplay. With just seven boundaries, he showed that a batter doesn’t need to rely on brute force to dominate.

・ A crisp cover drive off Naseem Shah brought up his fifty.
・ A cheeky upper-cut against Harris Rauf showed his adaptability.
・ The final drive through extra cover to bring up his ton was vintage Kohli.

Bhai bas opposition ka patience test kar rahe the, slowly constructing an innings that Pakistan had no answer to. His knock was not just about runs but also about resilience—a statement that he still belongs at the top.

Kohli’s Work Ethic: Hard Work Pays Off
The night before the big game, Kohli was the first one to arrive for net practice, an hour before his teammates. He batted, observed, and tweaked his technique. It’s this obsessive work ethic that has kept him at the top for over a decade.

“Mujhe nahi lagta ki woh kabhi form mein nahi the. He is always hungry for runs, and even during practice, he looked crisp and confident,” said Shreyas Iyer, who stitched a crucial partnership with Kohli in the match.

Even Pakistan wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan couldn’t help but admire him. “Humne bohot koshish ki usko out karne ki, par bhai ne game hi le liya. His hard work and fitness are on another level.”

Mehnat Ka Fal Meetha Hota Hai
It is said that when batters go through a lean patch they tend to tighten up. “In reality this is exactly why he has been in a slump longer than a great player like him should have been. This incorrect approach, regardless of his greatness, has contributed to a series of failures. He should, instead, have focussed on working with his unusual grip and backlift that has brought him so much success,” the coach further explained.

There were only seven boundaries in Kohli’s unbeaten 100, which came off 111 deliveries at a strike rate of 90, but his off-side play was in full flow. He would play those shots with authority and one of them, hit deliberately uppishly off Naseem Shah for a four, brought his half-century. Even the four that took him to the much-awaited century was a drive through extra cover. In the early part of his innings, he pushed one off Harris Rauf through off-side and it sped to the fence in no time. It all looked imperious.

From Doubts to Dominance: The Mentality of a Champion
After Kohli’s century, Rohit Sharma summed it up perfectly: “That’s what he is known for. We are not surprised.” Kohli’s ability to block out outside noise and focus on his game is what separates him from the rest.

When asked about his knock, Kohli simply said: “My job is to stay in the present and do a job for the team.” It’s this relentless hunger that makes him a once-in-a-generation player.

Kohli’s match-winning century against Pakistan wasn’t just about getting back into form—it was about reclaiming his throne. Duniya ko dikhana tha ki Virat Kohli khatam nahi hua hai.

With his confidence restored and his hunger for runs intact, there’s no doubt that we are about to witness another golden chapter in the legend of Virat Kohli.