In a format that wasn't his own, Virat Kohli found a kingdom to rule: Recap of King's T20 career!

As the sun sets on 2024, Indian fans are still savouring India’s glorious victory in the T20 World Cup. It ended the drought of 13 years of a World Cup win. The narrative of this tournament, however, was more than just India’s triumph. It was about Virat Kohli—a legend who scripted the perfect ending to his T20I journey by delivering a match-winning knock in the final. Despite receiving flak for his T20 game, Kohli reaffirmed his legacy when it mattered most.

He didn’t rely on audacious scoops or brute force to dominate bowlers; instead, he crafted a legacy through impeccable timing, unmatched consistency, and an unrelenting hunger for runs. He showed why the art of anchorship can sometimes overpower the gung-ho of aggressive batting in a situation of crisis.

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Virat Kohli: Best-ever T20 World Cup player!

Over the years, Kohli has been synonymous with “consistency” in T20 cricket. His performances at the T20 World Cup show his stature as one of the greatest in the format. Below is a detailed look at Kohli’s contributions across six editions of the tournament:

Year	Inn	Runs	Avg	SR	HS	50	4s	6s
2012	5	185	46.2	122.5	78	2	20	4
2014	6	319	106.3	129.1	77	4	24	10
2016	5	273	136.5	146.8	89	3	29	5
2021	3	68	34	100	57	1	5	1
2022	6	296	98.7	136.4	82	4	25	8
2024	8	151	18.9	112.7	76	1	8	7
Total	33	1,292	58.7	128.8	89	15	111	35

Virat Kohli stats at T20 World Cups

Between 2012 and 2016, Kohli was at his absolute best, with astonishing averages of 46.2 (2012), 106.3 (2014), and 136.5 (2016). These numbers reflected not just consistency but utter dominance, especially while chasing—a trait that became synonymous with his batting. His performances in 2014 and 2016 were pivotal, earning him accolades and respect worldwide. Kohli’s ability to pace an innings and adapt to pressure was unmatched, making him the lynchpin of India’s batting lineup.

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Virat Kohli style of T20 dominance

Talk about his legendary 82* knock against Pakistan at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. His defining T20I knock in the 2022 T20 World Cup*—a masterclass in temperament as he guided India to a thrilling victory, blending measured aggression with calculated risks.

Kohli brought an emotional intensity to every match, often turning cricket games into contests of willpower. His ability to absorb pressure and deliver in crunch moments became his hallmark. For instance, Kohli’s strike rotation ability, a critical but underrated T20 skill, stood out. Across T20 World Cups, his dot-ball percentage of 30.8% was remarkably low, showing his knack for keeping the scoreboard ticking even against quality attacks.

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Challenges for Virat Kohli!

Kohli’s T20I career wasn’t without challenges. As the years progressed, his dominance faded, particularly in the 2021 and 2024 editions, where his strike rate dropped to 100.0 and 112.7, respectively. Critics were quick to question whether his traditional approach had become outdated in a format evolving toward hyper-aggression. Yet, Kohli found redemption in the grandest way possible. In the 2024 T20 World Cup final, with India chasing a tricky target against South Africa, he scored a gritty 76, rescuing his team from a precarious position.

A Legacy of Greatness

When Kohli played his last T20I in the 2024 final, he left behind a blueprint for modern batting in a traditionalist’s style.

He finished with 4,008 T20I runs overall, second-most in history, at an average of 52.7, making him one of the most consistent performers across formats.
His contribution to India’s success was immeasurable, featuring in three T20 World Cup finals and lifting the coveted trophy in 2024.