Top 5 innings by Virat Kohli in a chase

#1. 133* off 86 balls vs Sri Lanka, Hobart, CB Series 2012

India had to chase down the total in less than 40 overs to stay alive in the series

Sri Lanka is arguably Kohli’s favourite opposition in ODIs. He has scored eight centuries against the neighbours which is the most he has scored against any opposition. Even, his first ODI century was against Sri Lanka. However, it was his second century against the Lankans which will be remembered for years to come.

The match in question was India’s final group stage game of the Tri-Series featuring hosts Australia and Sri Lanka. India was facing elimination and needed to win their game with a bonus point and hope that the Aussies beat Sri Lanka in the final group stage game to have any chance of reaching the final.

Sri Lanka batted first and centuries from Tillakaratne Dilshan and Kumar Sangakkara helped them score 320 in their allotted 50 overs. India needed to chase down this total in 40 overs to earn the bonus point that would keep their hopes of playing Australia in the final alive.

Chasing the target, India lost Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar with 86 runs on the board after 9.2 overs. When Virat arrived at the crease to join Gambhir, India needed 235 runs in 184 balls which was a difficult task against a Sri Lankan bowling lineup which had Lasith Malinga at the peak of his powers. However, it was Malinga who was on the receiving end of Kohli’s beatdown.

In 8.4 overs, the Sri Lankan paceman conceded 96 runs of which 44 runs were scored by Kohli in only 14 balls which included 24 runs in just one over. In the end, Kohli’s spectacular innings helped India reach the target in only 36.4 overs.