5 times Virat Kohli destroyed Sri Lanka in ODIs

133* off 86 balls, Hobart (2012)

Listed down in Indian cricketing folklore as one of the greatest ODI chases ever, Kohli evolved from boy to man in this jaw-dropping shot-making spree against the Lankans. The authority with which he dismantled each and every bowler at Hobart made for a - -

India needed to chase down 321 runs within 40 overs to stay in contention for the series, they managed to achieve that within 37.

Malinga was greeted with a pin-point yorker as his first delivery, and effortlessly flicked it away to midwicket to make his intentions clear. He was picking up the lengths early, highlighted best by the inside out shot he managed to conjure off a Thisara Perera delivery.

The big grounds in Australia made sure that Kohli ran hard and collected those extra runs to keep the run-rate under check.

And then came Malinga.

Just like the first delivery, Kohli whipped the slinger away to reach his three figures, beaming a broad smile as he celebrated a magnificent knock. The next delivery was also a yorker, but this time, Kohli sent it deep into the stands with an astonishing flick shot, following it with a cover drive so authoritative that it would have single-handedly crushed Malinga’s spirit. Three more flicks to the square leg boundary finished off the chase then and there.