Virat Kohli 'is back', RCB fans celebrate as star batter hits 73rd ODI fifty in Ahmedabad

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India vs England: Virat Kohli silenced critics and delighted fans with a vintage knock in the third ODI against England in Ahmedabad, scoring his 73rd half-century in the format.

After struggling in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, the veteran batter looked in sublime touch, forging a crucial 116-run partnership with Shubman Gill for the second wicket. Kohli's innings of 55 balls featured seven crisp boundaries and a towering six, marking his return to form on the international stage.

The innings came in a dead-rubber contest, with India already securing an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series. However, that did little to dampen the excitement of fans, who flooded social media with reactions to Kohli's composed yet authoritative knock. Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Kohli's IPL franchise, celebrated the moment with a post, stating, "Hang this in the Louvre. 🫪."

One fan captured Kohli's best moments from the innings, posting, "Virat Kohli all boundaries Today." Another ecstatic fan shared an image of Kohli and Gill at the crease, simply captioning it, "RCB Boys ❤️."

Kohli's magnetic presence was evident not just on the field but also in viewership numbers. A fan noted, "Hotstar watching when Rohit was batting: 80 lakh. When Kohli came to bat, it suddenly peaked to 1.9 cr 🔥. The brand, King Kohli 👑."

For many, this innings was not just about the runs but about the return of the player they had missed seeing at his best. "The king is back 🥺❤️," read another reaction, echoing the sentiment of millions.

With his half-century in Ahmedabad, Kohli reminded everyone why he remains one of the finest batters of his generation. As fans celebrated his return to form, India stood at 155/2 after 24 overs, with Gill on 80 and Shreyas Iyer on 14. The moment was best summed up by a fan who declared, "Wake up & witness King Kohli's comeback.....50 for Virat Kohli in 3rd ODI at Ahmedabad 👑👑."

While Kohli's innings ended before he could convert it into a century, the impact of his knock was felt far beyond the boundary ropes. For Indian cricket fans, the sight of their talismanic batter back in rhythm was reason enough to rejoice. The celebrations online were a testament to the unwavering support for Kohli, proving once again that when he finds form, the entire cricketing world takes notice.