Happy Birthday Virat Kohli: ‘KING’ Kohli’s Top 5 knocks in international cricket

It is needless to say that Virat Kohli is a legend. He has produced some breathtaking batting across all formats. He broke records and created new ones since his donning the blue jersey in 2008.

Notwithstanding his lean patch in the past, he resurrected himself by becoming the highest run-scorer in the history of the T20 World Cup by surpassing Sri Lanka legend Mahela Jayawardene. So far, in the ongoing T20 World Cup, he smashed three unbeaten half-centuries (82, 62, 12, and 64*) and scored 220 runs.

As he turned 34 today, let’s relive the top five knocks that Kohli has played in his career so far.

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Happy Birthday Virat Kohli: ‘KING’ Kohli’s Top 5 knocks in international cricket

5. 153 vs South Africa (Test 2018)

South Africa’s first innings total read 335. India had already lost two wickets for 28 runs when Kohli came out to bat. India, however, could score only 307 runs, out of which, 50 percent was scored by Kohli’s 153. The Proteas won the match, following AB de Villiers’ second innings knock.

4. 133* vs Sri Lanka (ODI, 2012)

This knock can be called Kohli’s best ODI knocks in his career. Sri Lanka set a 321-run target; however, chasing the 300-run wasn’t that hard for the Men in Blue. Kohli’s 133* drove his team to chase down the target in just 36.4 overs. The highlight of the match was Kohli’s comfortable stroke plays against Lasith Malinga.

3. 141 vs Australia (Test, 2014)

It was Kohli’s first Test as skipper, and he did not let the moment waste with mere runs. India had 364 runs to chase on the final day; the target was a lot, and India must have wanted to draw the match, but Kohli had other stuff on his mind.

As he had already slammed his ton, he decided to let his blade talk despite Nathan Lyon’s creating some sort of trouble with the ball. His 141-run knock was studded with 16 fours and a six. India failed to chase down the target, but this inning was one of the most spectacular counter-attack knocks played in Test Cricket.

2. 183* off 148 vs Pakistan (Asia Cup 2012)

Pakistan posted 329 in 50 overs owing to two centuries- Mohammad Hafeez’s 105 off 113, and Nasir Jamshed’s 112 off 104. During India’s chase, following opener Gautam Gambhir‘s dismissal, Kohli entered and displayed some extraordinary stroke play.

He was at his destructive best against the arch-rivals. He smashed 22 fours and a six to score an unbeaten 183 from 148 balls to secure a victory over Misbah-ul-Haq-led Men in Green.

1. 82* off 53 vs Pakistan (T20 World Cup 2022)

Even Kohli termed this knock as the best one in his career! Not just his knock, but the match itself will be remembered in the ages to come. Pakistan posted 160 after being asked to bat first. To the dismay of the passionate fans, India were tethering at 31/4; then entered Kohli, who stitched a 113-run stand with Hardik Pandya (40).

Kohli displayed some incredible cricket toward the end of the innings, which helped India a four-wicket win. The last over is still impressed in the minds of the watchers; it wasn’t without immense suspense. So much happened. When Ravichandran Ashwin went for the one run needed, Kohli cried, overwhelmed with emotions.

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