Virat Kohli Birthday: Top 5 Kohli knocks in ODIs

#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.