5 memorable ODI centuries by Virat Kohli

The master of run chases, Virat Kohli's career has been defined by mammoth individual scores in the ODIs. Ever since his debut in 2008, Kohli has gone past some of the greatest players in the cricketing history and at only 29, has the second most number of centuries, behind only his mentor Sachin Tendulkar. Be it scoring rapidly in the first innings or chasing steadily in the second innings, once Kohli crosses the 50-run mark, a score of 100 or more is almost confirmed. With Captain Kohli scoring another ODI hundred last night against South Africa, we take a look at some of his most memorable hundreds in ODIs.

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#5 133 against Sri Lanka (Hobart , 2012)

The day Virat Kohli became Indian Cricket's Superman

Fighting to stay in the tri-series in order to successfully defend their title, India had the daunting task of not only beating Sri Lanka, but winning the match with a bonus point. Batting first, Sri Lanka set India a target of 321 to be scored at over 8 runs an over, to stay in the contention in the competition.

Coming in to bat at the fall of the 2nd wicket, Kohli etched century-plus partnerships with both Gautam Gambhir and Suresh Raina. Bashing the Sri Lankan bowlers all over the ground, especially Lasith Malinga, who was hit for 24 runs in the 35th over, Kohli took India to a memorable victory in just 36.4 overs, helping them earn the bonus point that kept them alive in the series. Although India failed to make it to the finals, Kohli's incredible 133 from 86 balls gave Indians fans a ray of hope that night.

#4 138 against South Africa (Chennai, 2015)

The century that helped India level the series

Already down 1-2 in the series, India had to win the match at Chennai to prevent South Africa from beating them in their own backyard. In the humid weather of Chennai, Kohli came in to bat at 28/1 with Shikhar Dhawan at the other end. Against a bowling line that comprised legends like Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel, Kohli played a marvelous innings of 138 runs from 140 balls.

Century-plus stands with both Ajinkya Rahane and Raina allowed Kohli the momentum to flex his muscles and he was dismissed with the scoreboard reading 291 in 48.2 overs. AB de Villiers gave India a scare by notching up a century, but India eventually managed to defeat South Africa comfortably. Kohli was the hero in the victory once again as he helped India equal the series at 2-2.

#3 107 against Pakistan (Adelaide, 2015)

The innings helped India maintain their undefeated record against Pakistan in World Cup encounters

India-Pakistan clashes always attracts a lot of attention because of the history between the two nations. The fact that the match was taking place at the grandest stage automatically heightened excitement levels around the clash.

India were aiming to keep their undefeated record at the World Cups against their arch rivals intact and they did it in the best possible way. Kohli scored a magnificent 107 from 126 balls in this high-voltage clash. Aggressive batting by both Dhawan and Raina allowed Kohli to play with ease and hold one end up throughout the innings, which ended with India posting a mammoth total of 300/7 in 50 overs. The total was too much was Pakistan to chase down, as they lost the match by 76 runs, allowing India to go 6-0 against them in World Cup matches.

#4 100 against Australia (Jaipur, 2013)

The fastest ODI hundred by any Indian batsman

After losing the first match of the series by 72 runs, India was under pressure in the second match at Jaipur. However, a first innings total of 359/5 in 50 overs by Australia, courtesy five fifty-plus scores from their batsmen, saw India on the back-foot even before the chase had commenced.

Rohit Sharma and Dhawan gave India an impressive start before Dhawan got out with the scoreboard reading 176. Joining the already settled Rohit, Kohli started his assault on all the Australian bowlers, especially Clint Mckay, who was bashed for over 9 runs an over. A few cover drives, on drives and flicks later, Kohli reached his 16th ODI hundred in just 52 balls, breaking the record that was previously held by Virender Sehwag. Although Rohit won the Man of the Match award, this match will forever be remembered for Kohli's explosive hundred.

#5 183 against Pakistan (Dhaka, 2012)

This is Kohli's highest individual score in One Day matchess

Another India-Pakistan clash and another instance of Kohli taking India to the victory while chasing, single handedly. In what later turned out to be Tendulkar's last One Day match, Kohli played the best ODI innings of his career so far.

Chasing a target of 330, India got off to a dismal start as Gautam Gambhir was dismissed in the second ball of the match. Joining Tendulkar in the middle, India's current skipper made the chase look easy with his world class batting. A hundred-plus partnership, first with Tendulkar and then with Rohit, helped Kohli score another ODI hundred in a run-chase. Before he finally perished with the scoreboard reading 318 for 4, Kohli had played a once-in-a-lifetime knock in which he scored 183 runs in 148 balls that completely blowed the Pakistan team to submission.