Virat Kohli celebrates his birthday today (November 5), as the India stalwart turns 38 years young. Kohli, over the years, has showcased his might across formats and Indian cricket has witnessed some extraordinary batting performances from the former captain.
From record-breaking ODI chases to unforgettable T20 World Cup heroics and monumental Test centuries, Kohli has repeatedly delivered when India needed him most.
As the batting superstar turns 38, here are eight of his greatest international knocks for India.
1. 183 vs Pakistan, Dhaka - 2012 Asia Cup
Kohli produced one of the greatest ODI run-chases in history against Pakistan in the 2012 Asia Cup. Chasing 330, India needed a substantial contribution after losing an early wicket. Kohli smashed 183 off 148 balls, including 22 fours
and a six, helping India reach the target with 13 balls remaining. It remains his highest ODI score and a landmark innings in India-Pakistan cricket.
2. 133* vs Sri Lanka, Hobart - 2012 ODI tri-series
India faced a daunting target of 321 in just 40 overs against Sri Lanka in the Commonwealth Bank Series. Kohli responded with an extraordinary unbeaten 133 off 86 deliveries, striking 16 fours and two sixes. India reached the target in only 36.4 overs, keeping their hopes of reaching the final alive. His assault on Lasith Malinga became one of the defining moments of his ODI career.
3. 235 vs England, Mumbai - 2016 Test
Kohli produced a monumental innings against England at the Wankhede Stadium in December 2016. His 235 off 340 deliveries, featuring 25 fours and a six, helped India post 631 in their first innings. India eventually won by an innings and 36 runs. It was his third double-century of 2016, underlining his dominance in Test cricket.
4. 149 vs England, Edgbaston - 2018 Test
After struggling during India's 2014 tour of England, Kohli returned to the country with a point to prove. He scored 149 in the first innings of the Edgbaston Test, battling James Anderson, Stuart Broad and the English bowling attack in challenging conditions. India eventually lost by 31 runs, but Kohli's innings silenced many of his critics and established him as a formidable overseas Test batter.
5. 82* vs Australia, Mohali - 2016 T20 World Cup
India needed to defeat Australia to qualify for the semi-finals. Chasing 161, India slipped to 49/3 before Kohli took charge. His unbeaten 82 off 51 balls, featuring nine fours and two sixes, guided India to victory with five balls remaining. His acceleration in the closing overs made it one of the finest T20 World Cup innings.
6. 82* vs Pakistan, Melbourne - 2022 T20 World Cup
India were struggling at 31/4 while chasing 160 against Pakistan at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Kohli and Hardik Pandya rebuilt the innings before the former produced an astonishing finish. His unbeaten 82 off 53 balls included six fours and four sixes. Two consecutive sixes against Haris Rauf in the penultimate over changed the match, before India sealed victory on the final delivery.
7. 254* vs South Africa, Pune - 2019 Test
Kohli registered his highest individual score in Test cricket with an unbeaten 254 against South Africa in Pune. He faced 336 deliveries and struck 33 fours and two sixes, guiding India to a massive first-innings total of 601/5 declared. India won by an innings and 137 runs, with Kohli's double-century proving central to their dominance.
8. 76 vs South Africa, Barbados - 2024 T20 World Cup Final
After a relatively quiet tournament, Kohli delivered when it mattered most in the final against South Africa. His 76 off 59 balls helped India recover from an uncertain start and post 176/7. India eventually won by seven runs to lift their first men's T20 World Cup title since 2007. Kohli was named Player of the Match and announced his retirement from T20 internationals after the triumph.
