As Virat Kohli Turns 34, here's a look at his five greatest knocks

Former Indian skipper and modern-day batting legend Virat Kohli made his first appearance in international cricket. Since then, he is continuously dominating the arena of international cricket throughout all the formats. The 2011 World Cup winner has 71 international centuries to his name along with numerous international milestones.

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The 34-year-old is enjoying a purple patch with the bat in the ongoing edition of the 20-20 World Cup. He has scored 220 runs with the bat in four innings for the four matches having three amazing unbeaten half-centuries to his name.

So, on the 34^th birthday of the Indian batting legend today, here we’ll have a look at his five greatest knocks. These have also been the innings when the Delhi prodigy has guided India to a win from a miserable situation.

5. 141 vs Australia in Adelaide Test, December 2014

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It was also the first match for Virat Kohli when he was there on the field in the role of skipper for the Indian team. Australia stunned everyone and declared their inning at the score of 290 runs for the loss of five wickets.

The hosts posted a target of 364 runs for the Indian team in the fourth innings. Taking the charge, the then-skipper Virat Kohli smashed a knock of 141 runs with 16 boundaries and a six to his name. Although the Indians failed to cross the line, the knock smashed by Kohli is still remembered as one of the finest knocks of his career.

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4. 153 vs South Africa in Centurion, January 2018 (Test)

India was locking horns with the South Africans in the Centurion test. Kohli came in the middle to bat at number four when India had lost two wickets only on the score of 28 runs. He took no time in assessing the conditions quickly and smashed a historic knock against one of the most lethal bowling attacks in the world.

The then 29-year-old Kohli played a brilliant knock of 217 balls. That knock from the former Indian skipper is remembered as one of the most brilliant knocks ever played by any batter who visited there in South Africa.

3. 133* vs Sri Lanka in Hobart ODI, 2012

The Indian team was on the edge of being eliminated from the CB Series and they were ought to chase the target of 321 runs before the 37 overs against Sri Lanka. Every Indian fan was hoping for a miracle to happen at the moment. Then came the star batting sensation Virat Kohli in the middle, he played a match-defining and remarkable knock of 133 runs off 86 balls.

He stitched a crucial partnership with the former Indian southpaw Gautam Gambhir when the Indian team was struggling in a miserable condition. Virat Kohli smashed the premier Sri Lankan pacer Lasith Malinga to all the corners of the ground and eventually guided India to a memorable win in that match.

2. 183 vs Pakistan in Dhaka ODI, Asia Cup 2012

The guy having 20,000+ runs in international cricket, was at his amazing best when he was batting against the arch-rivals Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2012. Virat went after the Pakistani bowling attack and played a historic knock of 183 runs against the men in green.

Eventually, this knock led India to a historic run-chase in the ODI at that time. This match is also known as the last ODI appearance of the former legendary Indian batter Sachin Tendulkar.

1. 82* vs Pakistan in Super-12 Match, Melbourne (20-20 World Cup 2022)

Probably, Virat Kohli played the ‘knock of his life in the first super-12 match of India against the arch-rivals Pakistan in the ongoing 20-20 World Cup. Kohli was left with the star all-rounder Hardik Pandya as India lost their four wickets only on the score of 31 runs.

All of the cricket experts were assured that India is going to lose the match, but Virat Kohli had some other plans on the day. The former Under-19 World Champion skipper smashed a historic unbeaten knock of 82 runs. He stitched a very crucial partnership with the star all-rounder Hardik Pandya to direct the men in blue to a historic win.