Virat Kohli has been the talisman for the Indian cricket team for quite some time now. The 28-year-old has remained consistent across all the three formats of the game ever since his international debut, back in 2008.
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He even became the only batsman to have scored more than 15000 international runs ,across all formats, with an average of above 50 and he did so the fastest, in just 304 matches.
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One of his favourite oppositions has been the Aussies, whom India are going to take on from the 17th of this month. As we gear up for the tour, let’s have a look at some of the great innings’ from the Indian captain against Australia.
100* (2nd ODI, Jaipur, Oct 2013)
It was a historic innings from Kohli at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium that night, as he eclipsed Virender Sehwag’s record of being the fastest centurion in One Day Internationals when he completed his ton in just 52 balls.
Australia registered a mammoth first innings total of 359/5, thanks largely to captain George Bailey’s unbeaten knock of 92 off just 79 balls. He was given able support by all the others in the top five, as they also got half centuries while guiding the team to the huge score.
Chasing such a stiff target against a quality opposition, the hosts got off to the perfect start with openers Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma putting up a 176 run stand for the first wicket.
But it was Virat’s blistering knock that killed off the game, as India ran out comfortable winners on the day, overhauling the total with 9 wickets and 39 balls remaining.
115* (6th ODI, Nagpur, Oct 2013)
Less than two weeks after producing a breathtaking and record breaking innings, Virat was at it again, scoring an unbeaten 115 off just 66 balls, taking India to victory and levelling the series at 3-3.
Again it was George Bailey and Shane Watson with the pick of the action, as they guided the visitors to a staggering total of 350/6. As Aussies came out for the second innings, they were determined not to make the same mistake again.
But the Indian top order had other ideas, as they got off a solid start with Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan scoring 178 for the first wicket. Virat Kohli carried the baton forward and finished off the job, helping the team to victory with 6 wickets and 3 balls to spare.
The victory tilted the momentum in India’s favour and they went on to clinch the series by winning the decider in Bangaluru.
118 (2nd ODI, Visakhapatnam, Oct 2010)
Another occasion where Kohli brought his A-game against the Aussies was during their tour, back in 2010. This was also his first ton against the Aussies.
Batting first, the visitors put a decent score of 289/3 on the board, with Micheal Clarke top scoring with 111 runs and also half centuries from Micheal Hussey and Cameron White. India didn’t get off to the greatest of starts, losing their openers pretty early.
But it was Virat Kohli again to the rescue of the team, as he scored 118 from 121 balls, and comfortably chase down the target with 5 wickets in hand and more than an over to spare. Suresh Raina and Yuvraj Singh also chipped in with half centuries during the chase.
117 (3rd ODI, Melbourne, Jan 2016)
Despite India losing the match, Virat Kohli came up with another fabulous ton, this time batting first.
It was the 119 run partnership from Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan, which paved the way for India setting up a good score of 295/6 on the board. It was a lack of impetus at the latter end of the innings which prevented the team from a 300+ score.
Despite the best efforts from the Indian bowlers, Australia managed to come out on top with 7 wickets in hand and an over to spare. Shaun Marsh and Glenn Maxwell starred for the hosts, as they notched up impressive half centuries.
106 (4th ODI, Melbourne, Jan 2016)
It was one of those rare occasions when Virat’s ton went in vain during a chase.
Australia posted a huge total of 348/8 on the board, with openers Aaron Finch and David Warner coming to the party, scoring 107 and 93 respectively.
India tried valiantly to get close to the target, with the top three – Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli, scoring quick runs in a bid to put the pressure back on the bowlers. But once they were dismissed, there wasn’t much resistance from the lower order as India succumbed to a 25 run loss.
