Virat Kohli, born on November 5, 1988, is one of the finest cricketers that India has ever seen. Kohli made his debut on August 18, 2008, against Sri Lanka. Virat Kohli has been the hero of many important matches for India and is looked upon as one of the most talented batsmen of the modern era. On his birthday, let us revisit a few of his knocks that stand out and seek more appreciation than his already outstanding international career.
1. 79 Of 104 Against West Indies, New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
One of the mentionable knocks during his early days has to be the 104-ball 79 that he scored against West Indies in the ICC Champions Trophy 2009. When the whole top-order collapsed, Kohli remained unbeaten, coming to bat at No. 4 and had with 9 fours and 2 sixes punctuating his innings, helping India win their only match in the tournament. India lost the series but found a dependable batsman who could perform when needed. Kohli then scored his maiden century at Eden Gardens later that year.
2. 116 Of 213 Against Australia At Adelaide Oval
Kohli’s maiden Test hundred when the team needed it the most, which made it even more special. It was the fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar 2011-12. Australia had put up a massive score on the board courtesy of a couple of double hundreds from Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke. Chasing an improbable target, the Indian top-order failed miserably. Kohli, who came out to bat at No. 6, kept his cool and scored 116 off 213 balls. He remained the only one on the Indian side who reached the triple-digit. Though India lost the match by a huge margin, Kohli’s efforts were commendable.
3. 133 Of 86 Against Sri Lanka In Bellerive Oval, Hobart
In the Commonwealth Bank tri-series featuring Australia and Sri Lanka, India needed to score 321 in 40 Overs to have a chance of making it to the final. After the top-order failed miserably, Kohli, walked out to the crease at No. 4, played a brilliant knock of 133 facing only 86 balls. He scored 16 boundaries and a couple of sixes as India won the match by seven wickets with 13 overs to spare.
4. 105 Of 135 Against New Zealand At Basin Reserve, Wellington
India was touring New Zealand for a two-Test series and had already lost the first one. In the first innings of the second Test, New Zealand was dismissed for a low score of 192 and India replied with 438. But in their second innings, New Zealand saw their skipper Brendon McCullum score 302 which helped them reach 680. Indian top-order added salt to the wound as both the openers were dismissed for single digits. Kohli, who came out to bat at No. 4, stayed at the crease and was instrumental as India scored 166 and the match ended in a draw. Kohli’s unbeaten ton eventually saved the match for the visitors.
5. 183 Of 148 Against Pakistan In Sher-e-Bangla Stadium, Mirpur
Kohli made his career-best ODI score during the Asia Cup 2012 against Pakistan. Pakistan had put up 330 on the board. Opener Gautam Gambhir departed for a duck. Kohli came out to bat at No. 3 and built partnerships with Sachin Tendulkar and Rohit Sharma, which ensured India’s victory, with Kohli ending up as the man of the match.
6. 72 Of 44 Against South Africa In Sher-e-Bangla Stadium, Mirpur
Facing the Proteas in the Semi-Finals of ICC World T20 2013, India had to chase down 172 runs in their 20 overs. While both the Indian openers departed for low scores, Kohli remained unbeaten at 72 and steered India’s victory. The innings was punctuated with 5 fours and 2 huge sixes and he was awarded the Man of The Match for his match-winning knock.
7. 115 And 141 Against Australia, Adelaide Oval
After an ordinary series in England, Kohli made an inspirational comeback as he started off his Test tour against Australia with a century in Adelaide. Australia had posted 517 runs in their first innings and India replied with 444. It was a team effort, but Kohli, who was also the skipper for that match, was the only one to hit a century. He scored 115 in India’s first innings and 141 in their second, but couldn’t save the match as Australia won it by a narrow margin.
8. 100 Of 52 Against Australia, Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur
Australia was touring India for a 7-match ODI series. Winning the toss, Australia chose to bat first and with what can be called a perfect team effort, they put up a good 359 runs. India started the chase positively as Australia got their first breakthrough after India reached 172 when Shikhar Dhawan departed for 95, Kohli scored a stunning 52-ball 100 and Rohit Sharma inched India closer to victory. The innings had 8 fours and 7 sixes in it.
9. 77 Of 94 Against Sri Lanka, WACA Ground, Perth
The pitch that has stunned many stalwarts with its eerie bounce saw brilliant innings from Virat Kohli during the 2012 Commonwealth Bank Series against Sri Lanka. With a combined effort, Lankans put up a challenging total on the board. Though Indian opener Virender Sehwag departed for 10, Sachin Tendulkar scored 48, supporting Kohli, who played a match-saving 94-ball 77.
10. 138 Of 140 Against South Africa, MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, Chennai
Under pressure, Kohli scored a brilliant 138 against the visiting South African team in Chennai during South Africa’s tour of India in 2015. As both the openers departed without doing much, Kohli stood alone and despite many difficulties, completed his century and pushed himself to get 138 off 140 balls. He hit six fours and five sixes in the course of his innings and helped India reach 299, which helped the Proteas fail to chase down. India leveled the series with the win but eventually lost the series.
11. 82 Of 53 Against Pakistan, Melbourne
Virat Kohli’s scintillating innings against Pakistan at T20 World Cup 2022 gave India the finest victory over its arch-rivals. During the presentation, Virat Kohli called this knock one of his best knocks in T20I cricket. He was awarded a Player of the Match award for his match-winning innings of 82 not out in 53 balls.
Entertales wishes you a very Happy Birthday Virat. May this list be endless, and you make many more records and take the Indian team to the next level. Check out how Virat Kohli became one of the highest-paid athletes.
You must have seen some of these innings. Please feel free to share your comments and experiences with us.
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