The best of Virat Kohli - top 5 innings in ODI cricket so far

1. 133* vs Sri Lanka (CB Series, Hobart, February 28, 2012)

Virat Kohli’s best innings in ODIs so far blasted away Sri Lanka’s total of 320 in 36.4 overs

For sheer class and audacity, this knock of Kohli will stand out in the annals of cricketing history for eternity. As the late Tony Greig rightly commented, “He will cherish this knock – something he can tell his grandchildren“.

Already demoralized after a forgettable outing against Australia in the Test series, India suffered further humiliation after Sri Lanka piled on yet another 300-plus score, with Dilshan belting an unbeaten 160 and Sangakkara scoring 105. To stay alive in the series, the world champions needed to make 321 in 40 overs – a tall order, given their recent woes with the bat.

But Kohli had other ideas. After Sehwag and Sachin gave the team an explosive start, the chase stumbled a bit when Malinga dismissed the latter in the 10th over. With the score at 86/2 and the required run rate remaining steep, the stage was set for the young Delhi lad.

And he set it on fire – dispatching the ball to the fence with the precision of a surgeon, running like a gazelle between the wickets and picking his spots well. With Gambhir, he quickly raised 115 for the third wicket, reaching his own fifty in 44 balls.

Then he shifted into fifth gear – smashing Lasith Malinga for 24 runs in one over, the highlight of which was a trademark flick over deep square leg for a massive six. Fittingly, Kohli ended the match in style with a smashing cover drive, having smashed his last 83 runs in just 42 balls.

His rampage caused India to achieve the target in only 36.4 overs, keeping their hopes of a final spot alive.

For me and legions of Kohli fans, this was his best ODI innings ever. Simply scintillating stuff!