“When I have something to overcome, I get charged up”, Virat Kohli opens up after scoring century against West Indies.

Ahead of the two-match series against West Indies, speculations were rife about Virat Kohli’s form in red-ball cricket. With Cheteshwar Pujara’s exclusion from the team, questions were raised about the future of Kohli and Rohit Sharma, considering their advancing age. Kohli’s recent form had been a cause for concern, especially after his underwhelming performance in the World Test Championship final against Australia, despite his commendable display in the last edition of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

However, the series against West Indies proved to be a turning point for Kohli. The seasoned cricketer showcased glimpses of his vintage self and was in a scintillating touch throughout the series. In the opening match, he displayed impeccable batting skills, setting the tone for the series. The second match witnessed a remarkable feat as Kohli smashed a splendid century, contributing significantly to India’s commanding first-innings total of 438 runs.

Reflecting on his performance, the 34-year-old humbly acknowledged that the pitch conditions were challenging, making batting a formidable task. Nevertheless, Kohli’s experience and skill shone through as he relished his time in the middle and played with finesse.

Virat Kohli said “I really enjoyed myself out there. I was in the rhythm, I wanted to be in. Started in challenging times. I switch on during these times. When I have something to overcome, I get charged up. I had to be patient as the outfield was slow. It was very satisfying as I had to do the hard yards.”