On the momentous occasion of King Kohli’s match winning 82 of 53, against arch-rivals Pakistan in the marquee T20 World Cup 2022, we take a look back at the best 3 innings of Virat Kohli in the shortest format of the game.
Also Read: Arshdeep Singh Scripts Epic Redemption Against Pakistan In T20 World Cup
Setbacks mark the biggest Comeback: Virat Kohli Edition
Before we move on to his tectonic innings let’s get a brief load at Virat Kohli and his journey through the years.
It can certainly be said that the King is back on his throne, after a long lean patch across all formats. Yet a few months back Kohli was asked to retire from the highest level of the game. Given his performance in the most recent IPL, experts highly criticized the star Indian batter.
Playing for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), the 32-year-old had the worst season in the IPL since 2010, averaging just 22. Considering his eluding form and low confidence Kohli was given a month-long break. In which he claims to have not touched the bat for even once.
Nonetheless, Indian Cricket fans got to see their King back in action against Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2022. Kohli scored a stylish yet crucial 35-run knock. Through-out the continental tournament, Kohli broke numerous records. Hence, marked his comeback in the best way possible.
Top 3 innings of Virat Kohli in T20Is
#1 Unbeaten 82 against Pakistan in T20 World Cup 2022
Regardless of being under great pressure, King Kohli independently rescued India out of danger and finished the game himself. With an early blow in the Indian innings it was Virat and Hardik Pandya with the responsibility in their hands. Chasing a strong target of 160, India lost its openers within the powerplay.
Virat perfectly adapted himself into being the anchor or Indian innings in a very crucial time. With Hardik Pandya’s words of support, Kohli took his time earlier but soon he changed his gears and smashed Pakistan’s death overs specialist Harris Rouf for a couple consecutive maximums. Which significantly changed the game’s momentum in India’s favor.
Considering the aggregate pressure, Virat’s not out 82 off 53 balls at Melbourne has to be his best T20 knock. Moreover, in the post-match presentation Virat himself expressed that this innings in India’s inaugural match in the 2022 T20 World Cup is now his personal favorite. And so do we.
#2 49 off 51 Vs. Pakistan, Asia Cup (2016)
This match witnessed the best of the modern-day chase master. While Virat missed out on a fifty, he made sure that he chases the danger away for his national side. Chasing a brief target of 84, India t a moment looked cruising away from the victory mark.
Mohammad Amir’s lethal bowling, Rohit Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane’s ducks made India stand at 8/3 soon in the second innings. However, Kohli managed to survive the pressure and anchored his foot at the pitch. Former India captain kept his nerves under control and saw off the spell of dangerous looking Amir. Later patiently took India out of danger.
Given the level of burden caused by the early trail of dismissals, and the additional encumbrance carried with an India-Pakistan clash, Kohli’s knock 49 takes up second spot in our list.
#3 Virat Kohli’s first T20I century
The chase-master smashed his first-ever T20I century against Afghanistan in the 2022 Asia Cup. While this hundred came in the most wretched match for India, as they were already out of the race for final.
What made this innings special was it being Virat’s first triple figures in the shortest format. Moreover, with this knock, ex-captain finally recorded his international century after a long wait of 1,019 days. Hence, Virat joined the likes of Indian batters- Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, and Deepak Hooda to have scored a century in T20Is.
Though Virat has several more innings that are no lesser than the above mentioned ones, the amount of pressure involved and the impact these three innings had/will have on his career, makes them a class apart from the rest.
Also Read: Virat Kohli Single-Handedly Thrashes Pakistan to lead India to the Victory
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