Ask almost any young cricketer about their favourite player or cricketing idol, and Virat Kohli’s name is likely to feature prominently. Such is the influence of the Indian batting great, who continues to inspire aspiring cricketers across generations.
Kohli turns 38 today, but there are hardly any signs of him slowing down. His athleticism, passion for the game and hunger to perform remain as intense as they were when he made his senior India debut in 2008. Since then, he has given cricket fans countless memorable knocks across formats, creating moments that will be cherished for years to come.
While Kohli has called time on his T20I and Test careers, his journey in ODI cricket is far from over. He continues to deliver match-winning performances and remind everyone why he remains one of the finest batters of his generation.
On the eve of his birthday, Kohli offered another glimpse of his class, producing a superb 74-run knock against New Zealand in the first ODI in Auckland.
While speculation over Kohli's ODI future continues, many believe the 2027 World Cup could be his final appearance in the format and in the Indian colours. But with plenty of cricket still left to be played, fans can look forward to more special moments from the batting great. And what better way to celebrate his 38th birthday than by revisiting some of the finest innings of his illustrious career?
82* off 53 vs Pakistan: T20 World Cup 2022 (Melbourne)
Virat Kohli produced one of the finest innings in T20I cricket at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, with more than 90,000 fans witnessing the spectacle. Chasing 160, India found themselves in deep trouble at 31/4, with KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav and Axar Patel back in the pavilion.
With victory seemingly slipping away, the ‘chase master’ Kohli and Hardik Pandya joined forces to revive India's hopes. The pair stitched together a crucial 113-run partnership for the fifth wicket, but India still needed 28 runs from the final eight deliveries. Kohli then smashed two sensational sixes off Haris Rauf in the 19th over. The first, struck straight over the bowler's head off the fifth delivery, was later hailed by the ICC as the 'shot of the century'.
India needed 16 runs in the final over, bowled by Mohammad Nawaz. Despite losing Pandya and Dinesh Karthik, Kohli kept his composure, hitting a six off a no-ball and running crucial byes off the free hit. With two runs needed off the final delivery, R Ashwin calmly lifted the ball over the infield to seal a dramatic four-wicket victory. Kohli remained unbeaten on 82 off 53 deliveries.
133* off 86 vs Sri Lanka — Hobart ODI, 2012
Virat Kohli made a huge statement in Hobart on February 28, 2012, showing the cricketing world that he was destined for greatness. At just 23, Kohli had already played 81 ODIs, scoring 3,100 runs, including eight centuries, before taking on Sri Lanka in the Commonwealth Bank tri-series in Australia.
Chasing a daunting target of 321, India needed to reach it within 40 overs to keep their hopes of qualifying for the final alive. Sri Lanka boasted a formidable bowling attack featuring Lasith Malinga, Nuwan Kulasekara, Farveez Maharoof and Rangana Herath. After the early dismissals of Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar, Kohli joined Gautam Gambhir at the crease. The pair stitched together a crucial 100-plus partnership for the third wicket before Gambhir was run out for 63.
With 121 runs still required off 76 balls, Kohli shifted gears and launched a stunning assault on the Sri Lankan bowlers, particularly Malinga. The defining moment came in the 35th over when he smashed 24 runs off the pace spearhead. The over read 2, 6, 4, 4, 4, 4, leaving Malinga and the Sri Lankan fielders in disbelief.
Kohli remained unbeaten on 133 off just 86 balls, smashing 16 fours and two sixes, as India chased down the target in just 36.4 overs to register a memorable seven-wicket victory. The innings offered a glimpse of the dominance Kohli would go on to establish in world cricket over the next decade.
141 off 175 vs Australia — Adelaide Test 2014 (Adelaide)
In December 2014, Virat Kohli was appointed India's stand-in captain for the first Test against Australia in Adelaide after MS Dhoni was ruled out due to injury. Leading from the front, Kohli scored centuries in both innings, making 115 in the first and 141 in the second.
While his first-innings knock showcased his attacking strokeplay and confidence against the Australian bowling attack, it was his second-innings century that truly stood out. Chasing a challenging target of 364, Kohli adopted an aggressive approach, keeping India's hopes alive despite losing wickets at regular intervals.
He shared a crucial 185-run partnership for the third wicket with Murali Vijay, who narrowly missed his century, falling for 99. Kohli continued to attack the Australian bowlers, smashing 16 fours and a six in his 141 off 175 deliveries.
His dismissal at 304/7 proved decisive, triggering a collapse as India were bowled out for 315, falling 48 runs short of the target.
Although India lost the Test, Kohli's second-innings effort remains one of the finest knocks of his career, showcasing his fearless approach and determination to chase victory even under pressure.
183 off 148 vs Pakistan — Asia Cup 2012 (Dhaka)
Virat Kohli produced one of the finest ODI innings of his career against Pakistan in the 2012 Asia Cup in Dhaka. Pakistan posted 329/6 after batting first, powered by a century from Mohammad Hafeez and a quickfire hundred from Nasir Jamshed.
Kohli walked in after Gautam Gambhir was dismissed for a duck in the very first over. He then joined Sachin Tendulkar and stitched together a 133-run partnership for the second wicket, with Tendulkar contributing 52 off 48 balls. After Tendulkar's dismissal, Kohli continued his assault alongside Rohit Sharma, who scored 68, adding another 172 runs for the third wicket.
Kohli struck 22 fours and one six, scoring at a strike rate of 123.65. He was eventually dismissed for 183 in the 48th over, but India were already within touching distance of the target. Suresh Raina and MS Dhoni completed the chase as India reached 330/4 in 47.5 overs, registering a six-wicket victory with 13 balls to spare. Kohli's 183 remains his highest individual score in ODI cricket and earned him the Player of the Match award.
82* off 51 vs Australia — T20 World Cup 2016 (Mohali)
Virat Kohli delivered another memorable T20I performance against Australia on March 27, 2016, in a virtual quarter-final of the ICC T20 World Cup in Mohali. Chasing 161, India were 49/3 in the eighth over when Kohli took charge of the innings and guided the team towards the target.
Kohli first stitched together a 45-run partnership for the fourth wicket with Yuvraj Singh, who scored 21. Following Yuvraj's dismissal, he combined with captain MS Dhoni to add an unbeaten 67 runs off just 31 deliveries. Kohli dominated the partnership, scoring crucial boundaries and keeping India's required run rate under control.
He finished the innings with 82 not out off 51 balls, hitting nine fours and two sixes. His knock helped India chase down the target in 19.1 overs, securing a six-wicket victory. Kohli was named Player of the Match for his outstanding performance.
King Kohli in Chandigarh 👑@imVkohli's unbeaten 82 off 51 balls against Australia remains one of the finest innings in T20 World Cup history. https://t.co/ymRsbwcqsV
— T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) March 27, 2021
