Right now, Virat Kohli is perhaps the finest batsman in short overs, particularly in the One-Day International format. Virat Kohli is tied for first place on the list of players with the most ODI hundreds in international cricket with 49.
In 248 ODIs, Virat Kohli averages a phenomenal 58 for India. He has been nicknamed the “Master of Run-chases” for his exploits in chasing totals with ease. This article will examine some of his greatest ODI innings from the past twelve years, following his maiden cap in 2008.
5) 133* vs Sri Lanka, Hobart, 2012
Virat Kohli – Hobart, 2012 (Source: Twitter)
Virat was a well-known player in the Indian ODI team and had already amassed 10 hundreds in ODI cricket before this Hobart innings. However, it was his 133* innings against Sri Lanka in Hobart that brought attention to this youthful talent.
This inning demonstrated why Virat Kohli will most likely go on to dominate cricket for the next twenty years. Even while his game-winning hit did not propel India towards the CB series final, however it did mark a turning point in Kohli’s cricket career.
4) 100* vs Australia, Jaipur, 2013
Virat Kohli – Jaipur, 2013 (Source: Twitter)
Against Australia in 2013, Virat Kohli set a record for the quickest century by an Indian batsman in an ODI. In only 52 deliveries, Virat amassed an undefeated century with eight fours as well as seven sixes. This set the stage for India to win another thrilling game when they were behind 360 runs.
India achieved their highest-ever ODI chase as they managed to overcome the 359 runs total in 43.3 overs. It was yet another significant ODI performance for Kohli, who displayed his explosive talents by amassing runs at a 192 strike rate.
3) 122 vs England, Pune, 2017
Virat Kohli – Pune 2017 (Source: Twitter)
In his debut match as the Indian team’s permanent ODI captain, Kohli produced an incredible century despite adversity. India were reduced to 63 as they lost four wickets in an attempt to chase England’s 351.
Virat and Kedar Jadhav rose to the occasion and stitched a winning 200-run partnership. His 122 off 105 deliveries proved to be one of his best ODI performances as a skipper. His fifth century in an ODI while captaining the side came with this one.
2) 160 vs South Africa, Capetown, 2018
Virat Kohli – Capetown, 2018 (Source: Twitter)
In the third One-Day International match between South Africa and India in 2018, the right-handed batsman amassed one of his best career hundreds while batting first. This was his 34th century overall and his 13th when he was establishing a goal. Throughout the game, he scored just 14 boundaries, promising the world that he was a fit player.
India, defending 303, won the match with relative ease, scoring 124 runs. With three ODI centuries under his belt, he enjoyed an incredible series, collecting 558 runs with an average of 186 in just six innings.
1) 183 against Pakistan, Dhaka, 2012
Virat Kohli – Dhaka (Source: Twitter)
During the 2012 Asia Cup match in Mirpur in Dhaka, against Pakistan, Kohli was playing at his peak. The batsman amassed 183 runs to put India ahead against the “Men in Green” with ease. With two overs remaining, India achieved their highest-ever ODI run chase, having chased a massive 330.
After losing a wicket during the opening over, Kohli assumed command and utterly destroyed Pakistan’s bowling assault. With just 148 balls, he scored 183 off of 22 fours and one six. It still stands as Kohli’s best individual ODI score for India to this day.
