It’s been 28 months since Virat Kohli hit an international hundred. Every time the former captain walks out to bat in Inda colours, a 3-figure score is expected of him but that No. 71 is eluding the star batter.

Virat Kohli’s hundred drought has become a major talking point in the cricket community and it was evident on Saturday when a fangirl held up a cheeky poster during Royal Challengers Bangalore’s IPL 2022 match against Mumbai Indians at the MCA Stadium in Pune.

“I will not date until Virat’s 71,” read the banner at the MCA Stadium which the television broadcasters did not miss. The said woman had a big smile on her face even as she appeared on the screen during the exciting contest in Mumbai.

Kohli had been enduring a lean patch in international cricket, especially in Tests. The last 6 months have been eventful in his career as she gave up T20I captaincy before being sacked as ODI captain. He stepped down as India’s Test captain in an unforeseen manner after India’s Test series defeat in South Africa earlier this year.

However, with the burden of captaincy off his shoulders in IPL 2022, Kohli is showing signs of return to form for RCB. After beginning the new season with an impressive 42 in losing cause against Punjab Kings, Kohli was dominant in his knock of 48 against Mumbai Indians on Saturday.

RCB had a 50-run opening stand but it took time to come as new skipper Faf du Pleessis was struggling to middle the ball in chase of 152. After du Plessis’s dismissal, Kohli joined young opener Anuj Rawat and stitched an 80-run stand.

Kohli was busy from the word go and looked set to take RCB past the finish line. However, in the 19th over, Kohli was adjudged LBW. The former captain was furious over the contentious decision as he slammed his bat on the way back to the Pavillion before RCB clincched the victory 2 balls later.