Virat Kohli's top five innings in T20 Internationals

Kohli (Source: Twitter)

Virat Kohli has once again earned himself the title of the greatest batter in international cricket across formats after his scintillating knock against Pakistan. The star batter rated his knock to be the best ever of his T20I career. However, there have been numerous knocks by the former Indian captain which can be great contenders for his best-ever knock. As the world continues to be awestruck by Kohli’s stupendous strokeplay, let’s take a look at the top five knocks of his T20I career:

5 89* against West Indies at Wankhede, 2016 20-20 World Cup Semi-Final 2

Virat Kohli vs West Indies 2016 20-20 World Cup

Kohli walked to the crease in a packed Wankhede Stadium with India at 62/1 after 7.2 overs. After surviving a run-out chance early on in his innings, the star Indian batter notched up his half-century in 33 balls. He then took his team to an incredible finish as he remained unbeaten on 89 off 47 balls taking India to 192/2 after 20 overs.

However, Kohli’s magnificent knock ended in a losing cause as West Indies chased down the target in 19.4 overs knocking India out of the World Cup at their home.

4. 122* against Afghanistan at Dubai, Asia Cup 2022, 11^th Match

Virat Kohli 71st Hundred (Source: Twitter)

The wait for Kohli’s 71^st international hundred was getting longer and longer as it had been over 1000 days since he last reached the three-figure mark. The fans were getting impatient as Kohli looked like a pale shadow of himself during this phase.

After a long wait, much to everyone’s surprise, the ‘King’ of the modern era brought up his much-awaited hundred against Afghanistan in the Asia Cup. Kohli remained unbeaten on 122 off 61 balls ending his 1020-days-long century drought. The knock was a clear sign of Kohli’s return to form as he finished as the second-highest run scorer of the tournament.

3. 94* against West Indies at Hyderabad 2019

Virat Kohli vs West Indies 2019 (Source: Twitter)

The chase master walked in to bat after India lost Rohit Sharma at the score of 30 chasing a mammoth 208 for victory. India were behind the required rate as they brought up their hundred after 11.4 overs. However, Kohli completely changed the face of the match as he launched an onslaught on Kesrick Williams.

What made the moment even better was Kohli mimicking Williams’ famous wicket celebration after plundering boundary after boundary in his over. He remained unbeaten on 94 off 50 balls taking India home with eight balls to spare. Kohli’s knock also received special appreciation from Sir Viv Richards, who was in awe of his incredible knock.

2 82* against Australia at Mohali, 20-20 World Cup 2016, 31^st Match

Virat Kohli vs Australia 2016 20-20 World Cup (Source: Twitter)

Making another addition to his incredible chasing knocks, the star batter unleashed his beast mode against Australia in a must-win game in the 20-20 World Cup. Walking in at 23/1 after 3.5 overs, Kohli had an uphill task at hand as India kept losing wickets at the other end.

After taking the game deep, Kohli launched an all-out attack on James Faulkner as the world saw the modern marvel weave its magic once again. He took India home with his magnificent 82 off 51 balls as India reached the semi-finals of the 20-20 World Cup. The second-highest score from India was 21 which speaks volumes about Kohli’s impact on the match.

1 82* against Pakistan, 20-20 World Cup 2022, 16^th Match

Virat Kohli vs Pakistan 20-20 World Cup 2022 (Source: Twitter)

The chase master once again unleashed his wrath on the arch-rivals Pakistan as India were staring down the barrel. He began his innings slowly as he was just on 12 off 21 balls. The 33-year-old took his team out of misery as they were reeling at 31/4 after 6.1 overs.

India needed 48 off 18 balls as Pakistan smelled another victory against India in the World Cup. However, the former Indian captain completely turned the tide in India’s favour scoring 17 in the over against Shaheen Afridi. He once again turned out to be India’s knight in shining armour taking them to an improbable win. In the post-match interview, Kohli rated his knock to be his best ever in T20 internationals as he remained unbeaten on 82 off 53 balls.