Virat Kohli’s scalp is often a bowler’s most cherished one. The batsman who wears his heart on his sleeves is cool as ever when chasing down a target under pressure.
A quick glance at the numbers proves that he is the world’s top chaser in ODIs as well as T20Is. He has several records to his name, and is very difficult to frazzle.
There have been many unforgettable moments throughout his cricketing career and here are six of the best.
90 vs KARNATAKA, DELHI, 2006
Kohli made his mark on the history of the Ferozeshah Kotla with this innings which will be recounted for years to come – one that features a headstrong 18-year-old, battling for his team. The circumstances under which it came is what makes this knock special.
After losing his father Prem Kohli a day before the game, Virat surprised everyone with his insistence to bat. He was unbeaten on 40 overnight and went on to score a very significant 90, adding 152 runs together with Puneet Bisht.
His innings saved Delhi from the jaws of defeat, and Kohli had already earned the respect of the Indian cricketing fraternity.
How I Wish I could wish you in person on this day. The strongest person ever. Happy Father's Day. #pillarsofstrength pic.twitter.com/XsNJ5AtaTy
— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) June 19, 2016
107 vs SRI LANKA, KOLKATA, 2009
This was the Kohli’s maiden international century. With the opening duo of Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag dismissed early on in a long chase, the Delhi boys Gautam Gambhir and Kohli were at their best to chase down the massive target of 316.
The young Kohli reached three figures, playing some powerful shots along the way. The fact that the batsman’s maiden century came in a 300-plus run-chase was just a sign of things to come.
133* vs SRI LANKA, HOBART, 2012
In the Commonwealth Bank series in 2012, India were given a huge target of 321 by the Sri Lankans. But to make things more complicated, the Men in Blue had to chase it down in 40 overs to get a bonus point and stay in the tournament.
Kohli made a complete mockery of the target, and scored an unbeaten 133 off just 86 balls, smashing 16 fours and two huge sixes as India chased down the total in just 36.4 overs.
India’s completed chase came at a rate of 8.75 runs per over, the highest run-rate achieved while chasing in ODI history. Kohli also took 24 runs in one over off Lasith Malinga, dominating the Sri Lankan quick.
183 vs PAKISTAN, MIRPUR, 2012
Kohli played one of the most memorable ODI knocks of his career during the Asia Cup in 2012 against Pakistan. Yet again, India had a 300-plus total to chase down, with the target set at 330.
Kohli had to come out to bat in the first over itself after opener Gautam Gambhir departed for a duck.
The Indian vice-captain built two vital partnerships, one with Sachin Tendulkar and the other with Rohit Sharma, ensuring India’s victory. His 183 came off 148 balls under pressure, and was once again the Man of the Match.
141 vs AUSTRALIA, ADELAIDE, 2014
This Test was played just after the death of Australian cricketer Phillip Hughes, which had sent shock waves across the cricketing fraternity. It was a very sad occasion for everyone involved, but what followed was a great Test match.
India were set a target of 364 to win in the fourth innings after a brave declaration from Australian skipper Michael Clarke. It was Kohli’s first Test as the captain of the Indian team and instead of attempting to play for a draw, he wanted his team to bat aggressively and go for a win.
Kohli would lead from the front as he scored 141 to make it two centuries in the match for himself. India, though, suffered a batting collapse, losing their last eight wickets for 73 runs and were bowled out for 315.
82* vs AUSTRALIA, MOHALI, 2016
This was, unarguably, one of the best T20I innings ever played. In a do-or-die situation for India, Kohli single-handedly beat Australia and reach the semi-finals of the 2016 World T20.
After the match, Kohli’s overall average in the second innings in wins went up to an incredible 122.8, nearly superhuman stuff in a format where an innings lasts for just 120 deliveries.
Chasing 161, India were reduced to 49 for three in the eighth over, needing more than 10 per over from thereon. But Kohli alone managed to score more than 60 runs in the last five overs. He ended the game on 82 not out, adding 67 runs with skipper MS Dhoni who scored only 18 in that partnership.
Kohli’s 82 came off 51 balls at a strike-rate of 161, with two sixes and nine fours, all conventional cricketing shots.
