‘He took it to heart’: Ashwin reveals the fire behind Virat Kohli’s fiery century celebration

NEW DELHI: Virat Kohli has silenced all speculation about his future, focusing solely on one format and backing it up with back-to-back centuries in the first two ODIs against South Africa.

What grabbed attention was Kohli’s electrifying celebration upon reaching his latest hundred. Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin believes that the star batsman absorbed all the criticism aimed at him and channeled it into that powerful display of emotion.

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“Why is Virat celebrating like that? What is he thinking, what has he gone through?” he asked. “He loved Test cricket and wanted to play always, but he left… it was not only about his requirements. To leave the sport is a big decision,” Ashwin on his YouTube show Ash Ki Baat.

Ashwin noted that Kohli’s decision to take part in the Vijay Hazare Trophy – a rare move for a player of his caliber – reveals just how much the ongoing debate about him being a one-format player may have weighed on him.

“Now he has agreed to play Vijay Hazare, so communication is happening. In many ways, he must have thought – are they doubting me?” Ashwin said. “He is a very competitive person… he must have taken it to heart. Maybe he is telling you now: ‘You doubted me? Now I’ve shown what I can do.'”

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“He looks in good space,” Ashwin added. “That center of gravity is crucial in timing the ball and picking length right.”

Kohli retired from Tests earlier this year, while his last T20 International coincided with India’s triumph in the 2024 World Cup in Barbados.

Earlier this year, Kohli made a grand spectacle of an otherwise drab Ranji Trophy game when he played his first first-class match in more than 12 years.

BCCI has made playing domestic cricket mandatory for contracted cricketers unless they are injured or on national duty.