Virat Kohli Shines in Solitude: A Unique 58th List A Century

A Solo Performance at the BCCI Centre of Excellence

Virat Kohli's 58th List A century unfolded like a grand performance in an empty concert hall. His impressive 83-ball innings for Delhi against Andhra in the Vijay Hazare Trophy showcased his exceptional skills, yet the absence of cheering fans left a void at the BCCI Centre of Excellence.

Due to security concerns, the Karnataka government denied permission for matches at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, prompting the KSCA to relocate the games to this venue, which was closed to spectators.

Instead of a lively crowd, the scene was dominated by slow-moving cargo trucks, a significant police presence, and a few onlookers peering over barbed wire fences, creating a stark backdrop for Kohli's return to the Vijay Hazare Trophy after a 15-year gap.

Kohli might have found the atmosphere somewhat strange. For most of the past decade and a half, he has been greeted with enthusiastic applause whenever he steps onto the field.

Even his recent return to the Ranji Trophy after a 12-year absence attracted large crowds at Ferozeshah Kotla.

However, on this sunny Wednesday, Kohli made an unusual, solitary entrance to the pitch—absent were the cheers, chants of 'Kohli... Kohli!', and the familiar RCB roars that typically echo in stadiums.

The silence was occasionally broken by conversations among fielders or sporadic applause from the dressing rooms.

Yet, this unique setting had its own allure. A celebrated cricketer, usually surrounded by fans and fame, was now navigating the field alone.

He engaged in brief exchanges and high-fives with teammates, executed a diving stop to prevent Ricky Bhui from scoring another boundary, and offered advice to Delhi pacer Navdeep Saini as Andhra batters targeted him.

Kohli even seemed to dance to an imaginary rhythm, perhaps attempting to infuse some excitement and theatricality into the moment, a hallmark of his on-field persona.

He was channeling the dramatist within him, which has often propelled him to remarkable heights.

Despite the unusual solitude, Kohli's batting remained unaffected. With only a couple of dropped catches, he effortlessly donned his 'Chase Master' persona.

His signature shots were on full display—pulls, aggressive charges against spinners, flicks, cuts, and those exquisite straight drives.

He reached fifty in just 39 balls and completed his century in 83 balls, but these milestones were met with subdued acknowledgment. A simple wave to the dressing room marked the occasion.

In fact, the silence surrounding these achievements was so profound that a blink could have caused one to miss them.

Interestingly, Kohli might have relished this moment of solitude, which he often seeks.

His desire for privacy has led him to establish a secondary residence in London, in addition to his luxurious home in Mumbai, where he could enjoy the seclusion he craves.

However, the day concluded in familiar chaos, as Andhra players and officials surrounded him for photographs and autographs, which he graciously provided.

"It was a dream to play in the same match as Kohli. I always wanted to either play alongside him or against him, and all the Andhra cricketers were thrilled at the opportunity," remarked fellow centurion Ricky Bhui after the match.

As boxing legend Frank Bruno famously said: 'Boy! That’s cricket.'