Virat Kohli stamped himself of being the best ODI batter in the history of cricket as he scored the 50th century against New Zealand in the semi-final of the ODI World Cup 2023 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. With this milestone, let us turn pages of Virat Kohli’s illustrious career and look at his top 10 ODI knocks.
133* vs Sri Lanka, 2012
In the 2012 tri-series in Australia, Virat played an outstanding knock of unbeaten 133. From these innings, he was started recognized as the chase master. India had to chase a target of 321 within 40 overs to get to the final of the tri-series. King Kohli guided the team to victory in just 37 overs in Hobart.
183 vs Pakistan, 2012
Not only Indians but Pakistanis also became fans of Virat Kohli when he played a blistering innings of 183 against Pakistan in Dhaka in the Asia Cup. This is Virat Kohli’s highest knock in his illustrious career.
100* vs Australia, 2013
Virat Kohli delivered one of his most memorable performances in a match against Australia in the 2013 bilateral series in Jaipur. Chasing a target of 360, Virat Kohli scored the fastest ODI century by any Indian player. He brought his 100 in 52 balls.
160* vs South Africa 2018
In the ODI series between India and South Africa, Virat scored a remarkable knock of unbeaten 160. India was once predicted to score in the vicinity of 350. While wickets fell, Kohli’s run-glut persisted. It was a treat to watch him bat in the last 10 overs. This inning was a statement that he could play an outstanding knock not only during the chase but in the first innings too. India had won the match by 124 runs.
139 vs Sri Lanka, 2014
Virat was captaining the side for the first time in the absence of MS Dhoni. India needed 56 runs from 40 balls when Ravichandran Ashwin was gone, and they had just three wickets remaining. India easily pursued the goal after Kohli started a timely attack with the assistance of Axar Patel. Virat’s masterwork of 139 runs off 126 balls provided India with a three-wicket victory in Ranchi.
The first hundred (2009 vs Sri Lanka)
India wanted to win the Kolkata five-match series. After Sri Lanka scored a massive 315, Suranga Lakmal quickly dismissed openers Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar. In the fourth over, India was struggling at 23/2. Young talent Virat stepped up in the difficult situation and got his first hundred in an ODI.
122 vs England, Pune, 2016
For Virat Kohli, this series held particular significance as it marked his appointment as India’s ODI captain. India once struggling at 4-63 rose to the occasion and hit a fine ODI hundred as India’s captain. His innings helped India chase a huge target of 351. With his 27th ODI century, Virat Kohli once again showed the world why he is the Chase Master.
107 against Pakistan 2015
In the high-octane match against Pakistan in the World Cup 2015, Chasemaster showed his ability to bat under pressure. He and Dhawan forged a solid 129-run partnership. The 107 scored by Kohli contained just eight boundaries. Virat’s knock provided victory for India, who continued their World Cup winning streak over Pakistan.
49th ODI century
Virat made history by hitting the 49th century to equalize a record with the legend Sachin Tendulkar of the most centuries in ODIs. He ended his innings with an unbeaten 101 off 121 balls, setting a target of 326 for South Africa in Kolkata in the ODI World Cup 2023.
50th ODI century
Virat became the first batter to hit 50 century in the One Day International. He achieved this unbreakable milestone in the semi-final match of the World Cup 2023 against New Zealand.