5 times Virat Kohli proved he is the master of run chases
Virat Kohli
Indian skipper Virat Kohli is already a great of the game. The 32-year-old has gone about creating record after record and looking back, the meteoric rise of a brash youngster from the U-19 World Cup team to the pinnacle that Kohli has attained is staggering. It is hence, no doubt that he was named as both the ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Decade as well as the ICC Men’s ODI Cricketer of the Decade not so long ago.
One of Kohli’s unmatchable abilities is in pacing an innings beautifully. His half-centuries in the recently-concluded series against England stand testament to how Kohli is able to accelerate rapidly after starting cautiously. Further, the Indian captain is a very difficult man to get out once he gets his eye in. The aforesaid attributes have resulted in him being able to master run-chases for his sides.
Virat Kohli has been involved in a plethora of successful run-chases for the Indian team where he has either anchored or exploded depending on the situation to take his side home. We take a look at 5 such instances where Kohli mastered and aced a run-chase for India. Although there are plenty of knocks to choose from, these are the 5 that stand out.
5. 82* (51) versus Australia, Mohali, World T20 2016
Although Virat Kohli is usually known for acing run-chases in the ODI format, his T20I record is astounding as well. In a crucial group match against Australia, India had to chase 161 in the second innings. However, a bad showing in the Powerplay led to India managing to get only 37 in 6 overs.
Kohli and Yuvraj Singh then kept the scoreboard ticking to take their side close to victory. India needed in excess of 10 runs per over in the last 6 overs when MS Dhoni joined Kohli. The duo played sensibly before unleashing at the death to take India home. Kohli was at his ruthless best as he took James Faulkner to the cleaners and ensured India cruised to victory with 5 balls to spare.
4. 100 (52) versus Australia, Jaipur, 2013
Virat Kohli is usually known for starting out slow and taking his time before exploding. However, in the ODI against Australia in Jaipur in 2013, the target was a huge 359 and he did not have time to settle down. Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan had given India a terrific start before Kohli joined the party.
Kohli got to his 100 off just 52 balls and surpassed Virender Sehwag’s record for the fastest hundred by an India in ODIs. Remarkably, India chased down 359 with more than 6 overs to spare thanks to the top 3.
3. 115* (66) versus Australia, Nagpur, 2013
Another one of Virat Kohli’s most famous knocks came against Australia in 2013. In what was a must-win match in the series to keep it alive, India were staring down the barrel as the target was a huge 351. Further, India needed in excess of 8 an over when Kohli walked in to bat with 173 runs needed.
Out of the next 173 runs, Kohli hit 115 in just 66 balls to completely flatten the Aussie attack and take India home. The win proved to be crucial in the series as it levelled things before India went on to win the decider and take the series.
2. 183 (148) versus Pakistan, Dhaka, Asia Cup 2012
The Asia Cup encounter between India and Pakistan in 2012 is known for being Sachin Tendulkar’s last ever ODI. On a day when the Little Master step down, Virat Kohli came up with a knock for the ages as if to say, “I’ve got this”. India needed a win to stay alive in the tournament and had their task cut out as they had to chase 330.
India got off to a terrible start as they lost Gautam Gambhir but Virat Kohli put on excellent partnerships with Tendulkar and Rohit Sharma to take India close to the target. All of the Indian batsmen played second fiddle as Kohli weaved an innings of the highest quality to take India home as he finished with 183 off 148 balls.
1. 133* (86) versus Sri Lanka, Hobart, CB Series 2012
This is undoubtedly one of Virat Kohli’s most famous knocks, if not the most famous one. Needing to chase down a total of 320 in less than 40 overs to keep their hopes of making it to the final alive, Kohli came up with one of the finest knocks in the history of the game.
India lost both Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar in the Powerplay as their hopes took a huge hit. However, Virat Kohli showed his prowess by going all guns blazing on the Sri Lankan bowlers. It was Lasith Malinga who took a heavy beating as he was taken to all parts of the ground in a masterclass in batting from Kohli who steered India home and ended on 133* off 86 balls.
Also Read: ‘Add these two players and India become favourites to win the World Cup’: Michael Vaughan
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