Virat Kohli is widely known for his batting excellence, but over the years, he has also made some surprising contributions with the ball. His journey as a part-time bowler began in 2011 during a T20I match against England, where he took his first international wicket by dismissing Kevin Pietersen.
That same year, Kohli made an impact in ODIs too, when he got rid of Alastair Cook, showcasing his ability to trouble even the most experienced batsmen. His next ODI wicket was another English player, Craig Kieswetter, who became his first victim on Indian soil. Kohli continued to prove his handy bowling skills during a match against New Zealand when he dismissed Brendon McCullum, with Rohit Sharma taking a sharp catch to help him secure his fourth international wicket.
Mid-Career Bowling Contributions
Kohli’s bowling appearances were infrequent but often impactful. He dismissed South Africa’s Quinton de Kock with a smart caught-and-bowled effort, marking his fifth wicket in international cricket. Kohli’s sixth wicket came against England’s Samit Patel, who fell to his deceptive bowling in an ODI match. His bowling skills were further noticed during major tournaments.
In the 2012 T20 World Cup, Kohli sent back Mohammad Hafeez of Pakistan with a delivery that trapped him in front of the stumps. Four years later, in the 2016 edition of the T20 World Cup, he claimed the wicket of Johnson Charles from the West Indies during the semi-final match. Though India lost that game, Kohli’s performance with the ball stood out, showing he could deliver in high-pressure situations.
A Memorable World Cup Moment
Kohli’s most recent and ninth international wicket came in the 2023 ODI World Cup in a group-stage match against the Netherlands. He bowled a gentle delivery that got a faint edge from Dutch captain Scott Edwards, and KL Rahul caught it cleanly behind the stumps.
This wicket was a delightful surprise for fans and came on home soil, adding to the occasion’s excitement. Despite rarely bowling in matches, Kohli has built a small but memorable record with the ball. Each of his nine international wickets has come at crucial moments, making them stand out in his illustrious career. While his primary identity remains that of a world-class batsman, these moments remind fans of his versatility on the cricket field.
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