Virat Kohli's top 4 ODI innings

There’s a newcomer to the 10k run club in ODIs. From the northern part of the country came this exuberant talent who captained the U-19 team at the 2008 World Cup and came back with the trophy.

He was immediately called to the Indian team and made his debut against Sri Lanka. From then on until the end of 2011 he averaged about 47 in 71 innings with eighteen 50’s and eight 100 ’s.

Even though Kohli performed well he couldn’t convert them into big scores. Then came that unbelievable 133* against Sri Lanka at Hobart where India had to chase 320+ in under 40 overs.

The potential of this young lad unveiled that day. He was flawless and scored all around the park making his statement. From then on, he started getting daddy hundreds helping India chase humongous targets.

Post-2011, he averages 67.18 which includes thirty 100’s and thirty 50’s. Such has been his impact on India’s performance. That’s why he is called the ‘Run Machine’.

Let us look at Kohli’s top knocks in ODI:

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#1 Virat’s heroics at Hobart (2012)

Kohli truly announced himself with this knock

This was the innings that defined his career. It was that kind of an innings that changed the perception about Kohli across the cricket pundits

After doing miserably in the Test series against Australia in 2011, India struggled hard in the Tri-Series and had to chase a huge target against Sri Lanka to keep themselves in the competition.

The match was at the Bellerive Oval, Hobart and India were chasing 320 in 40 overs. That 86-ball 133 turned Virat’s fortunes in the game as India crossed the line in 36.4 overs.

The way he annihilated one of the best death bowlers, Lasith Malinga was mindboggling. He smashed Malinga for 24 runs in one over with Malinga eventually ending his spell with 7.4-0-96-0.

He was awarded the ‘Man of the match’ for this epic performance. Even though we couldn’t make it to the finals, this will remain as one of the best knocks by an Indian chasing a target.

#2 Kohli gets his highest score against the arch-rivals (2012)

Kohli was at his magnificent best against Pakistan

India had to chase 329 in 50 overs in an important encounter against Pakistan in the 2012 Asia Cup. India was in trouble when Gambhir fell at 0 with Kohli coming in at 3. He along with the master Sachin added 133 runs for the second wicket before the little master departed for a well made 52.

Kohli took over the responsibility and kept the scoreboard ticking without going for any risky shots until the 40th over with Rohit Sharma at the other end.

Then the pair took the attack to the opposition with Kohli scoring a massive 183 off 148 balls with 22 fours and a maximum against a top-class attack, in an intense match with a packed house.

It was at that time India’s largest successful run chase in the limited format. With this knock, he also equalled the highest score by an Indian in chases. He established himself as the chase master in the team.

#3 Hard earned 160* at Cape Town (2018)

Kohli scored a century of runs alone by running between the wickets

This innings proved Kohli’s solidity and adaptability at the centre. India was playing the 3rd ODI at Cape Town after having won the first two matches in the six-match series.

Kohli got in when Rohit was dismissed in the very first over of the match and was unbeaten on 160 off 159 balls at the end of the innings taking India to a total of 303. What made this knock special was, out of the 160 runs he scored,100 runs were by running between the wickets(1’s-75,2’s-11,3’s-1) becoming the first Indian to do so.

He had 12 fours and 2 sixes besides his name. It was a knock that told a lot about his technique and application when he bats. The batting wasn’t easy at such high temperatures and he had to suffer cramps after his innings.

He surpassed Ganguly for the most number of centuries as the Indian skipper. It was an innings with a lot of character and agility.

#4 Kohli’s masterclass in Pune (2017)

Kohli saved India from the early blushes

‘There is nothing that Kohli can’t chase’ a saying goes and rightly so. He has been the match winner for India in the last 5 years. This was another such case when India found themselves in deep trouble at 63 for 4 when Dhoni was dismissed cheaply for 6 runs.

Then came in Kedhar Jadhav who along with Kohli scripted a comeback with attacking stroke play. They put together 200 runs for the 5th wicket before Kohli departed for a well made 122 of 105 balls with 8 fours and 5 sixes from the meat of his bat.

The main highlight of his innings was that effortless short-arm jab over the long on to Chris Woakes off-cutter at 121kmph. The normal batsman would have tapped it in the gap between long on and deep mid-wicket but Kohli proved he is a class apart.

It was magical and elegant as the ball was found 10 rows back. It was one of those days when Virat was impeccable and flawless.