Virat Kohli is without a shadow of a doubt one of the all-time great T20I batsmen. Time and time again Kohli has shown his class in the shortest format and won India matches from an impossible situation. Now Kohli averages over 52 in the format with over 3,000 runs but most importantly his strike rate is 139 which proves that he is a match-winner. In his last 2 T20Is against England, Kohli has made batting look ridiculously easy and stamped his authority like the way only he can.
In his legendary T20I career, Kohli has played countless outstanding knocks which have helped India win matches. In this feature, we look ahead at his top 5 greatest knocks in T20I cricket which will forever be etched in the minds of every cricket fan.
Top 5 Greatest Knocks Of Virat Kohli In T20Is
5. 49 vs Pakistan
Now a knock of 49 from 51 deliveries is usually considered an ordinary knock in T20 cricket. However, when Kohli scored 49 against Pakistan in the Asia Cup in 2016 it had the world take notice as it came on a pitch that seamed and swung. Chasing a total of just 84 runs India were on the rocks early as a brilliant spell from Mohammed Amir stunned them.
After a few initials scare Kohli put on a masterclass as the world saw batting of the highest order. It seemed as if he has played on a different wicket to the rest and easily countered the moving ball. Kohli scored 49 from 51 balls but the impact of this knock will stay fresh in the minds of everyone forever. Eventually, his knock helped India beat Pakistan and he was rightfully adjudged the man of the match.
Also Read: India Predicted Playing XI For 4th T20I vs England
4. 94* West Indies
A lot of people will remember this Kohli classic as he taught the West Indies bowling attack a lesson when India was chasing a target of over 200. Unlike Kohli, he struggled to time the ball early on in his knock and it seemed India will lose the match. Then Kesrick Williams decided to sledge Kohli which turned to be a move that he will forever regret. Post that Kohli activated his beast mode and hit boundaries and sixes at will at Hyderabad.
The Indian captain once again led from the front in a run chase and steered India home. Kohli scored 94 in mere 50 deliveries including 6 boundaries and 6 sixes and is undoubtedly one his finest ever T20I knock.
3. 90* vs Australia
In 2016, Virat Kohli was becoming the best batsman in the world across all format. It all started with the white ball Australia tour in January when he looked invincible as he scored runs at will without breaking a sweat. On 26 January 2016, Kohli gave all the Indians a perfect Republic Day gift when he scored a match-winning 90 in the first T20I of the series.
From the very first ball of his knock, Kohli meant business and dominated all Australian bowlers at a packed house at Adelaide. He unleashed his wide array of strokes from the cover drive, pull shots and flick as India posted a mammoth total of 188 runs. Kohli scored 99 in 55 balls and his knock included 9 boundaries and 2 sixes which commenced a memorable year for Kohli with the bat.
Also Read: Man Threatens To Set Himself On Fire If India And England T20I Series Continue Amid Coronavirus
2. 72* vs SA
It was the semi-final of the 2014 ICC T20 world cup between South Africa in India. Kohli was once again chasing but this time things weren’t going to be easy as it was on a slow pitch against a quality bowling attack. The chase master knew that his wicket was the key and he took his time and took calculative risks. Once he got settled he took a liking to the SA attack and just toyed with them.
Nasser Hussain in the commentary box perfectly described his knock when he said ‘Everything he touches turns to gold, he’s a genius with the bat. When other India batsmen failed around him Kohli was unfazed and in his zone as he produced an iconic knock in a knock out match. He scored 72 in 44 balls with 5 boundaries and 2 sixes and took India to the final of the ICC 2014 T20 world cup.
1.82* vs Australia
India was facing Australia in a virtual quarterfinal of the 2016 ICC T20 world cup in Mohali. Team India was under huge pressure has there place in the competition was on the line and they had to beat a powerful Australia side. Batting first Australia posted a total of 160 which looked above par as the pitch was playing tricks and shot-making was becoming difficult.
On the big day team, India once again needed their best batsman Virat Kohli to rise to the occasion and take his side to the semis. Kohli the man for the big occasions did just that as he not only played one of his best T20I knocks but it was arguably the greatest ever T20I knock played by anyone. India kept losing wickets at regular intervals but Kohli held one end and had decided to be the hero again in front of a sold-out crowd at Mohali.
In the final 3-4overs, Kohli went into overdrive and just dealt in boundaries and sixes as Australia was completely shell-shocked. Eventually, he scored 82 runs in 51 balls and took India to the sem-finals of the 2016 T20 world cup which will forever go down in history as one of the greatest T20I knocks of all time.
Also Read: “Behen****” Virat Kohli Loses Cool At Shardul Thakur Over Sloppy Fielding