10 best ODI tons of Virat Kohli

August 18, 2018, will be a 'Gala day' for the Indian cricket fans as Virat Kohli steps into the second decade of his illustrious career in ODIs. Regarded as one of the modern-day cricket greats, Kohli is always known for his aggression, determination, and hunger for growth.

In 2006, he made is debut in First-Class cricket for Delhi. Though his maiden outing wasn't a fruitful one, he came into the limelight when he decided to hang in for his team against Karnataka despite his father's demise. The gritty knock of 90 ended early due to a bad call by the umpire.

"The way I approached the game changed that day. I just had one thing in my mind - that I have to play for my country and live that dream for my dad." - Virat Kohli.

Keeping the dream alive, the current Indian captain led the India U-19 team which went on to win 'ICC U-19 world cup 2008' in Malaysia. With astonishing performances, he earned his debut in international cricket against Sri Lanka in August 2008.

Since then, the star batsman has amassed 9588 runs in 208 matches at a staggering average of 58.10 and a whopping strike rate of 92.14 in ODIs. With a current rating of 909, the No. 1 ODI batsman has been the backbone of the Indian batting line-up with 29 MOM awards in the past 10 years.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni gave up his captaincy to his successor Virat in 2017.

With 35 Centuries in his kitty, the Indian captain has bagged the 2nd place in the list of "Most Centuries in a career - ODIs" (#1- Sachin Tendulkar- 49 100s).

Having the most number of tons while batting second (21), Virat has evolved as a chase-master under pressure. His determination and perseverance have caused many problems to rival bowling line-ups.

Deservingly, Virat Kohli won ICC Cricketer of the Year in 2017 for his stellar performances across all the formats.

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#10 102 (83) vs. West Indies, Port of Spain (2013)

Tri-Nation series

Handed over the captaincy in the midst of Tri-Nation series due to Dhoni's calf injury, Virat hit a captain's knock against the West Indies.

Capitalizing on a century-run opening partnership, Kohli led by example with a sizzling 102 off 83 balls (his 1st hundred in West Indies) to raise India past the 300-run mark. The inning included 13 boundaries and 2 sixes at a strike rate of 122.89.

His maiden ton as captain helped the Indian team to gather a vital bonus point to qualify for the finals of the tournament.

#9 118 (121) vs. Australia, Visakhapatnam (2010)

India vs. Australia Bi-lateral series

On a batting paradise in Vizag, India decided to field first, keeping the dew factor in mind. With both the openers back in the hut, the stand-in captain Michael Clarke, scored a brilliant hundred to put up a fighting total.

Chasing 290 under the lights, the Indian team lost Dhawan for a duck in 1st over. With his place under threat, Kohli came out to take on the Aussie bowlers with amazing stroke-play and an array of shots.

Despite wincing in pain due to cramps, he notched up his 3rd hundred under pressure with 11 boundaries and a solitary six to humble the Aussies with an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series.

#8 107 (93) vs. England, Cardiff (2011)

The reason this ton features in our list is that the particular knock came under seamy English conditions.

Considering the overcast conditions, Alastair Cook decided to bowl first. Being Rahul Dravid's final ODI, Virat stitched a 170-run partnership with the help of his farewell innings. Eventually, Virat scored his maiden ton in England, posting a total of 304 in 50 overs.

Though his knock went in vain with D/L method coming into play, it was the only positive thing out of India's win-less tour to England.

Another reason to remember this knock would be the bizarre fashion in which the beautiful innings ended as it was the only time Virat got out Hit-wicket in ODIs.

#7 127 (114) vs. West Indies, Dharamsala (2014)

Virat Kohli vs. West Indies, Dharamsala

My favourite innings in the list is Virat's 20th international hundred under immense pressure due to a bad performance in India's tour of England, 2014.

With a meager 188 runs in 14 innings (both tests and ODIs), the sublime touch of Virat was put under scrutiny in England under seamy conditions and thereby upsetting his mental rhythm.

On the back of fifty (62 off 78 balls) in Delhi (previous match), this special knock assured the end of Virat's lean patch with 13 boundaries and 3 sixes at a strike rate of 111.40 helping India clinch the bi-lateral series.

#6 154* (134) vs. New Zealand, Mohali (2016)

India v New Zealand 3rd ODI

Coming after a super-human performance in IPL 2016 (963 runs in the season), Virat took on the New Zealand bowling attack to the cleaners in I.S. Bindra Stadium, Mohali.

Chasing a tricky target of 286, Kohli survived an initial scare with Ross Taylor dropping him on 6. Like all best players, Kohli made most out of the luck with his second 150+ score in ODIs.

With 16 boundaries and a six, he went on par with Sachin's record of 16 centuries while batting second. Needed 23 runs from 18 balls, he punished Trent Boult, scoring 22 runs (3 fours and a six) in 48th over with Manish Pandey knocking the victory doors in the next over.

#5 138 (140) vs. South Africa, Chennai (2015)

India vs. South Africa, Chennai

Due to inconsistent performance during the Cricket World Cup 2015, everyone anticipated his return of form during South Africa's tour of India, 2015.

On a sticky wicket at Chidambaram Stadium, Kohli came out determined, scoring a gutsy 138 off 140 balls and got his 1st ODI hundred against South Africa battling the Chennai heat.

With 6 boundaries and 5 sixes, his innings was vital in levelling the bi-lateral series 2-2 against the African nation.

This cameo laid the platform for his stellar performances in upcoming seasons.

#4 100* (52) vs. Australia, Jaipur (2013)

India vs. Australia ODI series

Every Indian fan will remember this blistering knock by Virat Kohli. The current Indian captain scored the fastest hundred by an Indian breaking Virender Sehwag's Record.

After a thunderous start from the openers, Virat bludgeoned the Australian attack at an astounding strike rate of 192.30. He racked up 8 boundaries and 7 sixes to chase down a daunting task of 360 within 44 overs along with Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan.

With 344 runs at a whopping average of 114.66, Virat dominated the Aussie bowlers throughout the tour with two centuries in the batsman dominated series.

#3 133* (86) vs. Sri Lanka, Hobart (2012)

India v Sri Lanka - Tri-Series Game 11

Nostalgia! One word is enough to define this eventful inning in Virat's career.

With a Himalayan task of chasing 321 within 40 overs, a Hurricane hit the Hobart stadium. Virat, having valuable partnerships with Gambhir and Raina, chased down the target with 37 overs hitting 16 boundaries and 2 sixes at an astounding strike rate of 154.65

Virat scored 24 runs off Lasith Malinga's over establishing his dominance over the finest death bowler. With this resilient knock, he cemented his place at No. 3 spot in the ODI side.

#2 183 (148) vs. Pakistan, Dhaka (2012)

India vs. Pakistan, Asia Cup 2012

No. 183 has been an auspicious high score for Indian captains: Sourav Ganguly, MS Dhoni, and Virat Kohli co-incidentally have 183 as their highest score in ODIs.

With 22 Boundaries and a six, Virat dominated the mighty Pakistani bowling attack with classy ground-strokes and raised himself as a captaincy contender. Though India didn't qualify for the finals of the Asia Cup, this innings eventually gained him ICC ODI Player of the Year in 2012.

Incidentally, it was the last ODI match of Sachin Tendulkar, and the baton of Indian cricket passed on to Virat Kohli on that day!

#1 160* (159) vs. South Africa, Cape Town (2018)

3rd Momentum ODI: South Africa v India

And here is the surprise, #1 knock of Virat Kohli.

Being an overseas player, the sort of dominance showed by Virat during the tour of South Africa was the difference between the two teams. During this scintillating knock, the battle between Virat Kohli and Kagiso Rabada was a visual treat for the cricket community.

Surviving initial scare with a faint inside edge, thanks to snicko (DRS system), Virat battled throughout the entire innings scoring a vital 160* to get an unassailable 3-0 lead in the series. With 558 runs in the series, Virat holds the record for Most runs by a Player in a Bi-lateral series with 3 Centuries in the tour.