3 magnificent centuries by Virat Kohli in Asia Cup

Virat Kohli is probably the world's best batsman today in all the formats. The Indian Skipper has achieved this status in a very short span of time. He is feared even by some of the world's most fierce competitors and has been the backbone of India's batting lineup from the day he entered the team.

Kohli who made his ODI debut in 2008 against Sri Lanka has played in 211 ODIs till date and scored 9779 runs at a breath-taking average of 58.20 with 35 centuries and 48 half-centuries. He is on course to break almost every batting record of Sachin Tendulkar, including the most prestigious 100 International centuries.

India are the defending champions of Asia Cup. Virat has had some brilliant knocks in Asia Cup and hit 3 centuries in the prestigious tournament. We look at the three centuries hit by Kohli in this tournament.

#3 108 vs Sri Lanka, Dhaka, 2012

India were up against Sri Lanka in their first match of Asia Cup in 2012. Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to bowl first in the day and night game. India lost its key player in Sachin Tendulkar for just 6 runs. Kohli who walked in at No.3 with scoreboard reading 19-1 played a match-winning knock along with Gautam Gambhir. The Gambhir-Kohli duo added 205 runs for the 2nd wicket. Kohli scored 108 off 120 after playing a very composed innings. India managed to score 304-3 in 50 overs.

Chasing a target of 305, Sri Lanka lost wickets in quick successions and got bundled all-out for 254 runs and lost the game by 50 runs. Jayawardene was the top-scorer for Sri Lanka with 78 runs. Irfan Pathan was the pick of the bowlers with 4/32.

Virat Kohli was adjudged the Man of the Match for his match-winning knock that gave the team, much-needed confidence.

#2 136 vs Bangladesh, Fatullah, 2014

In the 2nd ODI of the India and Bangladesh in 2014 Asia Cup, India won the toss and chose to bowl first. Bangladesh managed to get a decent total of 279 in fifty overs, on the back of skipper Mushfiqur Rahim's 117 off 113. Mohammad Shami was the pick of the bowlers for India with 4/50 in the allotted 10 overs.

When India came out to bat chasing 280, it was Virat's one-man show that took the game away from Bangladesh. Kohli exploded for 136 off 122 with 16 fours and 2 sixes at a magnificent strike rate of 111.48. He stitched a very crucial 213-run partnership for 3rd wicket with Rahane.

Thanks to Kohli's heroics, India chased this down quite comfortably winning by 6 wickets. Kohli took home the Man of the Match award.

#1 183 vs Pakistan, Dhaka, 2012

No surprises. This innings will probably go down as one of the greatest ODI innings we will ever see. In the 2012 Asia Cup, Pakistan won the toss and chose to bat first against India. Pakistan scored 329/6 in 50 overs. Both the Pakistani openers shone and hit centuries. Hafeez made 105 off 113 and Nasir Jamshed made 112 off 104 and built a huge opening stand of 224-runs.

In reply, India lost its veteran opener, Gautam Gambhir for a duck and were in trouble at 0-1. Kohli at No.3 built a 133-run partnership with batting great Sachin Tendulkar before the latter was dismissed for 52. Kohli then went on to register his highest individual ODI score of 183 after facing just 148 deliveries. He stitched a 172-run 3rd wicket partnership with Rohit Sharma and took India home. Virat's innings involved 22 fours and 1 six.

India won the game by 6 wickets and Kohli was presented the Man of the Match award for his blistering performance.