As Virat Kohli celebrates his birthday on November 5, the legendary Indian batter has offered an interesting insight into his illustrious ODI career by revealing the innings that holds the most special place in his heart.
Despite producing several unforgettable performances in India's colours, including magnificent centuries against some of the world's strongest bowling attacks, Kohli has chosen his 43-run knock against England in the ICC Men's Champions Trophy 2013 final as his greatest ODI innings.
Speaking to JioStar, the former India captain reflected on some of the most memorable moments of his career before settling on his performance in the rain-affected final at Edgbaston, Birmingham.
Kohli scored 43 runs off just 34 deliveries, providing
India with crucial momentum in a contest reduced to 20 overs per side. Batting under challenging conditions, with overcast skies adding to the pressure, the right-hander played a composed yet aggressive innings that helped India post 129/7.
India eventually defeated England by five runs to lift the Champions Trophy, making the occasion even more memorable for Kohli.
The 38-year-old had plenty of other outstanding performances to consider. His sensational 183 against Pakistan in the 2012 Asia Cup, a breathtaking innings that showcased his ability to dominate world-class bowling, was certainly among the strongest contenders.
His unbeaten 133 against Sri Lanka in Hobart during the 2012 Commonwealth Bank Series and his 85 against Australia in the 2023 ODI World Cup also featured among the standout performances of his remarkable career.
Interestingly, Kohli revealed that his 35-run contribution in the 2011 World Cup final had remained his favourite for a long time. That innings came during India's historic triumph at the Wankhede Stadium, where MS Dhoni's team ended the country's 28-year wait for another World Cup title.
He also considered his magnificent 107 against Pakistan in the 2015 World Cup in Adelaide before ultimately choosing the Champions Trophy final performance.
What makes Kohli's selection particularly interesting is that he preferred a relatively modest score over several spectacular centuries. It highlights how much importance he places on match situations, pressure and the ultimate outcome rather than individual numbers.
With more than a decade of extraordinary achievements in international cricket, Kohli's birthday provides another opportunity to celebrate a career defined by consistency, determination and an extraordinary appetite for winning matches for India.
