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It has thrown the spanner in the works: Ravi Shastri on Virat Kohli's knock

image-l7vlcq9fKohli played a sublinme knock against Afg [PC: Twitter]

Former Team India coach Ravi Shastri has said that legendary batter Virat Kohli's knock against Afghanistan has'thrown the spanner in the works'.

Kohli returned to form in the Asia Cup as he smashed two half-centuries and a crucial 30+ score in the opening game against Pakistan.

On Thursday, the legendary cricketer rolled back the clock to the good old days as he smashed his maiden T20I ton- 61-ball 122*- and his 71st hundred in international cricket.

Speaking during his commentary stint on Star Sports during the game, Shastri said that Kohli's resurgence will force the selectors to think about the need of a third opener for the T20 World Cup.

He further added that slotting Virat as one of the 3 openers in the World Cup squad, will allow the selectors to pick an extra seam-bowling option.

Here's what Ravi Shastri said on Virat Kohli's knock

"I think what today's innings of Virat Kohli has done, is that it has thrown the spanner in the works. It is allowed now for the selectors to think, 'do we need a third opener?'” 

“When Virat Kohli is there, you got KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma, and Virat could well be the third opener in case there's an injury. It allows you to have an extra fast bowler, as well as an extra batsman in the middle order. So, it does open some opportunity,"

Virat  Kohli was at his best against Afghanistan

Opening the innings with KL Rahul in the absence of Rohit Sharma, Virat paced his innings beautifully before launching an assault in the final overs to race his way to a hundred.

Kohli had threatened to explode in the previous games as well but a combination of good bowling from Pakistan and the lack of support from his partners meant he could not give a final flourish to his knock.

That wasn't the case on Thursday though as the 33-year-old took apart the Afghan spin trio of Rashid Khan, Mujeeb ur Rahman and Mohammad Nabi with disdainful footwork before laying into the likes of Fareed and Farooqi in the final overs.

He brought up his hundred with a pull off Farooqi over deep midwicket for a six before showcasing his full range with audacious stroke play all around the ground, eventually finishing at 122.

Also Read- Should Virat Kohli be India's regular opener in T20Is?