10 years of Kohli’s International Career: 10 of his most significant match-winning performances

#4 183 vs Pakistan - 5th ODI, Asia Cup at Dhaka - 2012

India had been defeated by Bangladesh, and had to win this match and depend on other results for any chances of making it to the final. Pakistan scored 329 with both their openers scoring centuries. Gambhir, opening in this match, got out second ball with the team score on zero. Pakistan were fielding a world class bowling attack consisting of Umar Gul, Wahab Riaz, Ajmal, Afridi, Hafeez - and boy wonder Aizaz Cheema. While Kohli attacked, Sachin Tendulkar - playing what would be his last ODI - supported him well at the other end.

Kohli celebrates his century vs Pakistan, 5th Match, Asia Cup at Mirpur, Dhaka on 18 March 2012.

After a 133-run partnership, Sachin got out to a gem of a delivery from Saeed Ajmal. Kohli found another stable partner in Rohit Sharma, and took the attack to the Pakistani bowlers. The trademark of his 183-run innings was 22 boundaries and only one six, with rarely any lofted shots. The possibility of a 200 from Virat Kohli’s bat was there, and he attempted hitting every ball out of the park. He hit one shot too many, eventually top edging one from Umar Gul to provide a simple catch. With only 12 runs needed off 17 balls, India won the match by 6 wickets in the end.