Virat Kohli and the World Cup semifinal jinx

Virat Kohli is undoubtedly one of the greatest batsmen of modern day cricket. The batting gladiator has been dismantling bowling attacks across the world with stunning regularity, and is well on his way to etching his name as one of the greatest batsmen of all time.

Kohli is just 31 years old, but has already amassed 11520 runs in ODI cricket, at an unreal average of 60.31. He is the fastest to 10,000 runs in the ODI format, and is just 7 centuries short of overtaking the legendary Sachin Tendulkar as the format’s leading century-maker.

Sachin Tendulkar - the man whose records Kohli is threatening

But there is one anomaly in Kohli's ODI career that sticks out like a sore thumb.

Kohli has so far featured in three World Cups for India, and on all occasions, the Indian team has progressed till at least the semifinal stage. And the total runs that Kohli has aggregated in all the three World Cup semifinal appearances put together is a miserable 11.

Kohli’s average in World Cup semifinals is 3.67, and the batting talisman has not managed to get into double digits in any of his three appearances.

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In Kohli’s maiden World Cup semifinal appearance in the year 2011, India took on Pakistan in a high-octane clash. The ‘Men in Blue’ managed to post a competitive total of 260/6, thanks to a patient 85 by batting maestro Tendulkar.

Kohli scratched his way to 9 runs off 21 balls, before edging the ball to Umar Akmal at point. He was just 22 years old at that time.

Fast forward four years to the 2015 edition. India were taking on Australia in the semifinal at the Sydney Cricket Ground. By this time, Kohli had morphed into one of the best batsmen of the modern era.

The Aussies batted first and posted a challenging 328 runs on the board. In reply, India were going along well with the scoreboard reading 76/1, and in walked Kohli.

The whole of India sensed that Kohli needed to play a special innings for his side to stand a chance of overhauling the Australian total. But once again, Kohli disappointed.

Mitchell Johnson’s well-directed short delivery proved to be his undoing as he top-edged the left arm pacer into the hands of the wicketkeeper. The fans' hopes were shattered and India went on to lose the match by 95 runs.

In the 2019 edition of the World Cup, India arrived as the firm favourites to lift the title. They took on underdogs New Zealand in the semifinal of the multi-nation event.

The Kiwis batted first and posted 239 runs on the board, and Kohli walked in with India reeling at 4/1. But the champion batsman once again failed to deliver when it mattered. Kohli misread an incoming delivery from Trent Boult and was adjudged LBW for just 1.

India v New Zealand - ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 Semi-Final

A fighting partnership between Ravindra Jadeja and MS Dhoni was not enough as India succumbed to New Zealand, falling short of the target by 18 runs.

Not once, not twice; Kohli has failed on three occasions at the semifinal stage of the World Cup. An average of 3.67 for a batsman of Kohli’s class underlines his struggles at this stage of the World Cup.

He will surely get another chance to redeem himself by the time the 2023 edition of the World Cup comes around. But at the moment, in a glittering career adorned with milestones, his record in World Cup semifinals stands as a blemish in an otherwise splendid masterpiece.