Every time he comes in to bat, the Indian national cricket team’s captain is setting up the bar high. There has now come a time in Virat Kohli’s career, just like it came in Sachin’s career, that he can be compared to nothing but himself. In 194 matches, and 186 innings Kohli already has 30 International hundreds alongside his name, the joint highest ever in the history of ODI Cricket. The only man ahead of him is his country-mate and former teammate Sachin Tendulkar who played 269 ODIs more than him and has 49 tons to his credit. Virat Kohli is definitely one of the best we have in the cricketing world at the moment and if he continues to play the way he is playing, we will witness some astonishing numbers in the years to come.
Let’s have a look at the Top 5 ODI Centuries from the master batsman.
5. Versus Australia at Jaipur, 2013
Aussies were already one up in the series and it looked like they were going away with this match as well after they posted a massive 359 on the board. Rohit and Shikhar provided India with just the perfect start but it was Virat Kohi’s fastest hundred by an Indian (Century in 52 balls) that stole the show. Virat was simply unstoppable and he timed the ball to perfection each time he hit the ball. Eventually, India chased down the huge target with over 6 overs to spare.
4. Versus Australia at Nagpur, 2013
Kohli was in complete control of this knock as well. A similar situation, India was chasing a massive total of 350, India got a good start. (when it comes to chasing Virat Kohli eats hundreds for breakfast, lunches and dinners) When Kohli came in to bat, India still needed 173 runs from 122 balls and made the game his own. A 115 of 66 deliveries, Kohli mocked the Australian bowling attack and India eased through difficult target, leveling the series, thanks to Kohli’s brilliance.
3. Highest ODI score, Versus Pakistan, 2012
The stage was set -- India versus Pakistan -- and another over 6 runs an over chase. 2nd ball of the innings, Gambhir departs and the pressure is huge. Virat Kohli comes in at number 3 and there is no looking back from there. A 183 of 148 balls, shots all around the park with minimum risk and maximum results, this is a typical Virat Kohli innings. Kohli’s innings ensured victory over Pakistan and some hope to qualify for the finals.
2. Century Against Pakistan, World Cup 2015
India versus Pakistan world Cup encounter is a huge thing in World Cricket. That too if you opening your campaign against the arch rivals. But the occasion did not get to the nerves of Virat Kohli who became the first player to score a century against Pakistan in World Cups going past Sachin Tendulakr’s 98 in 2003 World Cup as the highest individual score against Pak by an Indian. This was a patient knock, but the need of the match as well. India put on a fighting total in the end with the help of Kohli’s century.
1. Versus Sri Lanka at Hobart 2012
Arguably the most significant of Virat’s innings came in the Commonwealth Bank Series in 2012, when India met Sri Lanka, India needed to win within 40 overs to earn a bonus point and stay in the contention in the series. When Sri Lanka scored 320 batting first, all cricket pundits believed that India had a close to impossible chance to stay in the series, but Virat had other ideas. His 86 ball 133, was decorated with beautiful array of shots, with superb wrist work and presence of mind, almost toying with the bowling attack. When Virat hit Lasith Malinga for 24 in an over, it was an announcement of some sort that a Champion batsman has arrived at the world stage.
