Virat Kohli Birthday: Top 5 Kohli knocks in ODIs

After a successful Under-19 World Cup (both as captain and batsman) in 2008, when Virat Kohli broke into the Indian one-day team back in the same year, everybody could see that this boy had something special about him. But nobody would’ve imagined that he would go on to become one of the best batsmen of the modern era in all three formats.

In limited-overs, he seems to be in a different zone altogether. 32 ODI centuries (second-most in the history of ODI cricket) in 194 innings (202 games) and an average touching 56 and strike-rate of 92 - these are staggering numbers. In fact, a few pundits have labelled him as the ‘Best ODI batsman’. So, as the current Indian Captain celebrates his 29th birthday in a few days, let’s relive some of his best ODI knocks. There have been many wonderful knocks, but there has to be a shortlist, so here’s the top 5.

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Special Mention – 35 vs Sri Lanka (World Cup Final, Mumbai) – 2011

One does not expect a score of 35 to be shortlisted in a player’s best knocks. But this 35 was a special one. Kohli himself has gone onto to admit that he rates this knock of 35 in the World Cup final highly.

In the Final of the 2011 World Cup, Sri Lanka gathered momentum towards the back end of their innings as the plundered 91 runs in the final 10 overs to finish with a very good score of 274/6. In reply, India lost Virender Sehwag on the second ball of the innings and soon Sachin Tendulkar followed his opening partner back to the dressing room. Malinga was in the middle of a brilliant opening spell.

With the score reading 31/2 and pin drop silence at Wankhede Stadium (Mumbai), a young 22-year old Virat Kohli strode out to join Gautam Gambhir. The way Kohli absorbed the pressure in the big final was commendable. Along with Gambhir, he steadied the ship as they shared an 83-run stand to help India get back on track chasing a daunting 275.

His contribution of 35 might not look that big, but given the situation India were in, it was an innings which kept India in the hunt. After Kohli’s dismissal, Dhoni’s 91 and Gambhir’s 97 helped India lift their second World Cup.

#5 107 vs Pakistan – 2015 World Cup (Adelaide)

Virat Kohli's 100 vs Pakistan in India's opening game against Pakistan was his second World Cup ton.

Any India-Pakistan game is a big game and a World Cup game just increases the pressure and the intensity. There was no shortage of atmosphere at an Adelaide Oval which was packed to the rafters. Drums beat rhythmically, horns blared out loud and clear, there was singing and dancing and the crowd was right in the game.

A special atmosphere meant a special performance was inevitable. And Virat Kohli produced a special innings. He might have had better performances before this knock but given the stage, the occasion, the pressure and the opposition, this will go down as a special effort.

Virat Kohli came into to bat in the 8th over after India lost Rohit Sharma. Kohli was short on runs as after a brilliant Test series against Australia, he failed to score anything substantial in the following tri-series and the warm-up games. Thus, Kohli started sedately. But once he was set, he made sure he played a big innings and registered his 22nd ODI ton. Along with Dhawan (73) and Raina (74), the then Indian vice-captain shared 100-run partnerships to help India post 300.

Enroute to a majestic 107, Kohli became the first Indian to score a World Cup ton against arch-rivals Pakistan.

#4 115 vs Australia (Nagpur) – 2013

Kohli was almost unstoppable against Australia in 2013.

In 2013, Virat Kohli was one of the most talented batsmen going around and he had become India’s pillar in the batting line-up. He was also slowly turning into a chase master. He had produced 3 masterclasses at 3 different venues in 18 months chasing huge scores.

Australia’s limited-overs tour to India in 2013 was a run-fest with 300 being scored in every game. With India 2-1 down, Australia scored a mammoth 350 at Nagpur in the 6th ODI. In reply, India got off to a strong start with a 178-run opening stand.

At 178-1 in the 30th over, Kohli walked out to bat. Earlier in the series, he scored the fastest hundred by an Indian to help India chase down a massive 360. But here, India still needed 173 from 20 overs. But Kohli was up to the task. Scoring a blistering 115 off 66 balls, he tore apart the Aussie bowling attack.

The major difference between the knock in Jaipur and Nagpur was India’s position. In Jaipur, Rohit Sharma batted through the innings but here in Nagpur, after the opening stand, India lost wickets at regular intervals and that’s where Kohli came into his own. Scoring all around the park, he struck 18 fours and 1 six in his 66-ball stay. Another masterclass while chasing ensured India levelled the series 2-2 which they eventually won in the next ODI.

#3 122 vs England (Pune) – 2017

From 63-4, Kohli's 122 helped India chase down 350 for the 3rd time.

After a brilliant Test series against England (at home) in late 2016, Kohli was made the full-time captain of all three formats after Dhoni stepped down ahead of the ODI series. After a 4-0 drubbing, England came back to complete the limited-overs leg of their tour after a Christmas break.

England posted a massive 350 on a flat pitch at Pune. In reply, India got off to the worst possible starts as they were reduced to 63-4 in the 12th over. By then, Kohli had started well but was watching wickets fall from the other end. Jadhav joined the Indian skipper in the middle.

Kohli, who had a brilliant 2016 looked in supreme touch as he was in complete control of the innings and the chase. His confidence rubbed off on Jadhav (120) who expressed himself in beautifully in a 200-run partnership.

Kohli scored a beautifully-timed 122 to put India on course for a record win. In his 105-ball innings, Kohli played some superb strokes. But there was one shot which was one of the most extraordinary shots one will see. Woakes bowled a back-of-a-length slower ball which resulted in a back foot lofted drive (with a straight bat) deposit the ball into the mid-wicket stands.

Even though Kohli departed for 122, he set up the run-chase beautifully. India had become the first team to chase 350 thrice and incidentally Kohli scored a 100 on all three occasions.

#2 183 vs Pakistan (Asia Cup, Dhaka) – 2012

183 is still Kohli's highest ODI score.

India vs Pakistan had become rare with political tension between the two nations. So, it was only in multi-team events, we could witness the arch-rivals face off against each other. It was almost one year since these two teams had played the semi-final of the 2011 World Cup and the stage was set again with it being a must-win game for India.

Pakistan had amassed a score of 329 on the back of centuries from openers Mohammad Hafeez and Nasir Jamshed. With a target of 330, India lost Gambhir in the first over. When Kohli walked out at 3, the intent was evident. Virat Kohli sent almost all the bowlers on a leather hunt as he pulled, cut, drove and flicked with utmost authority.

Adding crucial stands with Sachin Tendulkar and Rohit Sharma, Kohli was brilliant in keeping up with the required run-rate. While he was his usual busy self at the crease, he kept taking calculated risks in between. He batted for 211 minutes and ended with a majestic 183 off 148 balls to help India overhaul 330 with two overs to spare.

#1 133 vs Sri Lanka (CB Series, Hobart) – 2012

Kohli paced the run chase to perfection.

India were going through a tough phase in 2011-12. After losing the Test series 4-0 in Australia, India faced a must-win game against Sri Lanka in their final group stage match. Moreover, they needed a bonus point win (to stay ahead of Sri Lanka on points).

Sri Lanka would have felt they had one foot in the final, having left the India bowlers deflated after a dominating performance with the bat as they posted 320/4. But Kohli had other ideas.

Needing to overhaul the target in 40 overs, India got off to a flying start but lost both openers (Sehwag and Sachin) inside 10 overs. With the score reading 86/2, Kohli walked into bat and things changed dramatically.

Right from the word go, he dominated the bowling. In his 133-minute stay at the crease, Kohli hit 16 fours and 2 sixes en route to a belligerent 133. The way he took the attack to Malinga, nobody has ever seen a batsman dictate terms against Lasith Malinga like the way he did in that match (which included a 24-run over).

This unbeaten 133 was probably the best knock he has ever played as he displayed a wide array of shots and toyed around with Sri Lanka’s bowling attack.