Virat Kohli Birthday: India's Top 5 ODI wins under Kohli's captaincy

Virat Kohli has captained India in 43 ODIs thus far. The 'Men in Blue' have won as many as 33 of those matches and lost only on 9 occasions. The Delhi dasher's winning percentage of 78.57 is the best among all captains who have led their teams in at least 40 matches.

Admittedly, these are early days in the star batsman's captaincy journey in the 50-over format. The likes of Clive Lloyd, Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting have managed to rack up an astonishing winning percentage over a significantly extended span of matches. Having gotten off to a strong start in his leadership career, Kohli has raised expectations of an extremely promising future.

As Kohli turns 29 this Sunday, we celebrate his odyssey by focusing on his accomplishments until now. In this segment, let us take a look at five of the most memorable ODI victories for India under the right-hander's captaincy thus far. Emphasis has been placed on matches which played decisive roles in shaping the direction of the Indian team's fortunes in those series.

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#5 5th ODI against Sri Lanka at Ranchi (2014)

Heading into the final game at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi, India were seeking their fifth clean sweep of series comprising of 5 or more ODIs. Battered into submission in the previous match by Rohit Sharma's record-breaking 264, Sri Lanka appeared to be down in the dumps.

However, skipper Angelo Mathews was keen to salvage something from the tour. He led from the front by hammering an unbeaten 116-ball 139 and helped the visitors reach a strong total of 286 on a dicey track. The all-rounder extrapolated his batting resonance with a sizzling new-ball spell that left India staring down the abyss at 14/2.

Extra Cover: 5 times Virat Kohli destroyed Sri Lanka in ODIs

Walking in at number four, captain Kohli forged a game-changing partnership with Ambati Rayudu to revive the Indian charge. When the chase appeared to be on track, a catastrophic run-out followed by a stirring performance from Ajantha Mendis breathed life into the game. On a surface which kept deteriorating with each over, Kohli conquered the venomous turn and scored a sublime century to carry his team past the finish line. Apart from securing a 5-0 series triumph, India had also registered their 100th victory against Sri Lanka across all three formats.

#4 2nd ODI against England at Cuttack (2017)

Yuvraj Singh and MS Dhoni resurrected India's fortunes from a seemingly hopeless position

After another Kohli special and Kedar Jadhav's spectacular knock had helped them chase down a mammoth total in the series opener against England in Pune, India were looking to seal the deal in the second ODI at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack. However, their top-order was blown away in a jiffy as a result of Chris Woakes' stunning spell.

Having been reduced to smithereens on a flat surface, India's hopes of posting a competitive total seemed to be fading away. At 25/3, the writing was almost on the wall. What transpired was breathtaking as a vintage partnership from Yuvraj Singh and MS Dhoni not only resuscitated the innings but also reversed the pressure on England's bowlers.

The experienced duo, who had been the architects of numerous such stands, turned back the clock with a remarkable display of counter-attack. While Yuvraj got to a career best score of 150, Dhoni brought up his tenth ODI ton to propel India to 381. Even though England came perilously close to the target, Ravichandran Ashwin's three-wicket haul and Bhuvneshwar Kumar's impressive death bowling led the hosts to a series-sealing victory.

#3 Champions Trophy match against South Africa at The Oval (2017)

India knocked out South Africa to march into the semi-final of the 2017 Champions Trophy

Following a convincing victory in the opening game against arch-rivals Pakistan, India's campaign in the 2017 edition of the Champions Trophy was put under jeopardy due to an unexpected loss at the hands of an unfancied Sri Lankan outfit. A blockbuster clash against South Africa came in the horizon at The Oval. It was a must-win match for both teams.

Despite South Africa's well-documented issues with high-pressure run-chases, skipper Kohli decided to bowl on a warm day in London. The decision appeared to be back-firing on the 'Men in Blue' as Quinton de Kock and Hashim Amla began to lay to a solid foundation. However, the Indian bowlers pushed the pressure factor up a notch by restricting the flow of runs.

Instead of building on the platform, the Proteas buckled at the slightest hint of turmoil and started to collapse in an alarming manner. A succession of comical run-outs took the likes of AB de Villiers and David Miller out of the equation. Kohli dynamic captaincy meant that the stranglehold on South Africa was never relinquished and their power-packed batting lineup eventually crumbled to 191. India chased the paltry total to march into the semi-finals. Although they would subsequently lose to Pakistan in the final, the comprehensive triumph in the high-stakes clash against a star-studded South African unit was a major highlight from India's campaign in the tournament.

#2 1st ODI against Australia at Chennai (2017)

Hardik Pandya's blazing counter-attack helped India turn the tables on Australia

While Australia's limited-overs trip to India did not exactly garner massive attention down under owing to the impending Ashes summer, the vast majority of cricket aficionados in the subcontinent were keenly awaiting the proceedings. After all, the 2017 edition of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy had set the stage for the resumption of one of the most acrimonious rivalries in the current era.

On a slightly overcast day in Chennai, Steven Smith's team got their tour off to a brilliant start as a sparkling new-ball spell from Nathan Coulter-Nile left the hosts reeling. Having subsided to 87/5, India's situation appeared to be as ominous as the overhead cloud cover.

After being reprieved by Smith early in his stay at the crease, all-rounder Hardik Pandya showcased his enormous potential by launching a fiery counter-attack. His vicious assault on leg-spinner Adam Zampa helped India wrest the momentum from Australia's hands. With the seasoned Dhoni playing a vital knock, the home team managed to register a formidable total. When the visitors' chase was reduced to 21 overs, the Indian bowlers rose to the occasion to deliver a telling triumph.

#1 3rd ODI against New Zealand at Kanpur (2017)

India overcame a stiff challenge from New Zealand to maintain their home supremacy

Having never lost a bilateral ODI (or Test) series to New Zealand on home soil, India's proud record was at stake when the two teams met on the field for the deciding clash at the Green Park Stadium in Kanpur. The visitors won the toss and surprisingly chose to chase in a game besotted with such massive stakes.

Capitalising on the batting-friendly conditions on offer, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli hammered regal centuries to lead India's charge. They put on 230 runs for the second wicket to push their team towards a commanding total of 337. In what was a clear display of intent to unsettle the Indian bowlers, the New Zealand openers came out swinging.

As the half-way mark was closing in, the Kiwis were comfortably stationed at 153/1. However, the match turned on its head when leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal prised out the wickets of Colin Munro and Kane Williamson in quick succession. Nevertheless, the Blackcaps brought their chase back on track on the back of useful contributions from the middle-order. With the contest hurtling to a thrilling finish, India had the last laugh due to the resilient death bowling of Jasprit Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar Kumar.