Indian cricketer Virat Kohli is one of the most athletic fielders in world cricket at the moment. Due to his remarkable fitness standards, the right-handed batter has been able to lift the fielding standard of the Indian team over the last few years.
Kohli has pulled off some breath-taking efforts in the field for India and possesses a good fielding record. He is the second to Rahul Dravid, on the list of most catches taken by an Indian cricketer. Virat has taken 281 catches in 458 matches and has a catch per innings record of 0.513.
In this article, we take a look at five top catches by Indian cricketer Virat Kohli in International cricket.
#1 Australia vs India, First Test, Adelaide, 2020
Indian cricketer Virat Kohli took a blinder to dismiss Cameron Green during India vs Australia test series in 2020-21. During the first test in Adelaide, Australia was four down for just 65 runs on the board, in reply to India’s 244 in the first innings.
All-rounder Cameron Green walked out to the crease, hoping to lend some support to the Australian innings. However, Virat Kohli’s incredible effort cut short his stay at the crease. Green tried to go over the mid-wicket, as he rocked back for a short of length delivery.
The ball hit the high part of the bat and flew to Virat Kohli’s right. Kohli took a screamer driving full stretch to his right to take the catch with both hands.
#2 India vs Australia, Second Test, Perth, 2018
During the Perth test match between India and Australia in 2018, Virat Kohli’s catch to dismiss Peter Handscomb is considered as one of his best. Handscomb came at the crease after the fall of Marcus Harris. He tried to take some time to build his innings, however, had to depart for just seven runs.
The Aussie played a poor shot. He tried to steer a short ball but was caught at the second slip by Virat. The Indian cricketer leaped up, as the ball was traveling fast and threw his right hand up in the air to complete a stunning catch in the slips cordon.
#3 India vs West Indies, Second T20I, Thiruvananthapuram, 2019
Shimron Hetmyer was going all guns blazing against India in the second T20I in Thiruvananthapuram. Chasing 170 in the second innings, West Indies was 99 for the loss of just one wicket in 13 overs.
In the fourteenth over, Hetmyer was looking very dangerous at the crease. He slammed Ravindra Jadeja for two consecutive sixes in the over. While trying to go for the third, he was caught by Virat Kohli in the deep.
Jadeja bowled an outside off delivery, which Hetmyer smashed over the non-striker. Virat Kohli ran to his right and threw his body into the air, to dismiss Hetmyer.
https://twitter.com/Cricsphere/status/1504340831368785922?s=20&t=2OFD11uIwMMJwDWQMvZMJA
#4 India vs England, Third ODI, Pune, 2021
Virat Kohli took a breath-taking catch to dismiss Adil Rashid during India’s third ODI against England in Pune in 2021. India was inching closer to a 2-1 series win, as England needed 72 runs in around 11 overs with just three wickets in hand.
In the 40th over, Adil Rashid chipped a drive off Shardul Thakur’s bowling toward’s. It flew to Virat Kohli’s left, who plunged brilliantly, to grab a low one-handed stunning catch at short cover. Rashid was dismissed for 19 runs off 22 balls.
Outstanding catch @imVkohli 🔥🔥#INDvENG #ViratKohli pic.twitter.com/nTtFssuefN
— Reema Malhotra (@ReemaMalhotra8) March 28, 2021
#5 India vs South Africa, Second T20I, Mohali, 2019
South African opener Quinton De Kock was looking all set for a big one, during the Mohali T20I in 2019. He completed his half-century in the 11th over hitting a boundary off Ravindra Jadeja. In the very next, over Virat Kohli’s brilliant bit of athleticism sent the opener back in the hut.
Navdeep Saini bowled a short of length, off-cutter to De Kock, who cleared his front leg looking to go over the midwicket. However, he ended by hitting it a little towards the off-side. Kohli ran in from the mid-off to take a brilliant catch.
Flying Kohli Snatches a Beautyhttps://t.co/xWSnHJXh5r
— Cricsphere (@Cricsphere) March 17, 2022
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