India vs Australia 2019: Top 3 T20I knocks by Virat Kohli vs Australia

#1 82* - Mohali (2016)

Virat Kohli at the World T20

Not only against Australia, but this is one of Virat Kohli’s best knocks in his T20I career. Kohli was is brilliant from in the 2016 World T20. After winning the man of the tournament in the 2014 edition, he won the award again 2016. It is fair to say that, he almost single-handedly carried India’s batting line-up in that tournament. His effort against Australia was one of the tournament's finest knocks

The match against Australia in Mohali was a virtual knockout again and a loss would have ended India’s campaign. Batting first after winning the toss, Australia posted 160 in their 20 overs. It was a stiff score with the pitch expected to slow down later in the game. India lost three early wickets and as usual, the onus was on Kohli.

Yuvraj Singh’s injury made matters worse for the Men in Blue as Kohli’s momentum and flow were hampered. He was not able to run hard between the wickets, which is something he thrives on. Hence, he had to take a few risks and luckily they paid off. But when Yuvraj lost his wicket, India still needed 67 off the last 6 overs and Kohli was batting on 35 off 30 deliveries.

With MS Dhoni’s arrival, Kohli used all his energy in running between the wickets. India scored 28 runs in the next three overs and Kohli got to his fifty. He hardly celebrated the milestone as he knew the job was not done yet. With 39 required off the last three overs, Kohli was a man on a mission. He first took James Faulkner to the cleaners, he fetched 19 runs off the 18th over. In the next over, he hit four boundaries to bring the equation down to 4 off the last over. Dhoni finished the chase in the first ball off the last over.

Kohli was once again India’s savior as his unbeaten 82 took India over the line. Despite the odds, conditions, and the situation stacked against him, he found a way to ensure India reach the semi-final.