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Arguably one of the greatest batters of his generation, Virat Kohli bid adieu to T20 Internationals following India's historic triumph over South Africa in the final of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 on Saturday.
There couldn't have been a better ending in the format for the run-machine, ending a glorious career with 4188 runs from 125 matches, with an average of 48.69, including one century and 38 half-centuries.
Even as he decided to hang his boots in the format, Virat Kohli finished on a high, scoring a match-winning 76 in the Men's T20 World Cup 2024 final, which set the tone for a memorable victory as India lifted the T20 World Cup trophy for the second time.
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Struggling to score throughout the tournament - 75 runs in six games - Kohli proved his worth once again, rising to the occasion when it mattered most, as he does more often than not. It's only fair to say that he will go down as one of the best batters in T20 Internationals as well.
As a tribute to one of the finest batters, who has walked away from the format leaving behind a rich legacy, we reminisce some of his best performances in T20Is over the years:
Virat Kohli's five best knocks in T20Is
#5 122* - IND vs AFG, Asia Cup, 2022
For a long time, there were talks about Virat Kohli not having a century in T20Is. If there's a challenge, Kohli is someone who is up for it. Returning from a difficult phase, he struck form against Afghanistan in the 11th match (Super 4) of the Men's T20 Asia Cup in 2022 at Dubai.
Walking out to open the innings, Kohli was at his very best, smashing an unbeaten century to help India post a daunting total of 212-2 after batting first. He remained unbeaten on 122 off 61, with a strike rate of 200.
His knock consisted of 12 fours and six maximums, proving that he could play the format the way it should be in modern times.
#4 70* - IND vs WI, 3rd T20I, 2019
Virat Kohli wreaked havoc in the third T20I against West Indies at Mumbai. This is his fastest innings in the format, as he proved to be an absolute nightmare for the West Indies bowlers.
With Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul getting India off to a flying start, the onus was on Kohli to carry the momentum forward, and boy he did. In a relentless batting display, he slammed an unbeaten 70 off just 29, at a scintillating strike rate of 241.37, striking four boundaries and seven sixes.
Courtesy of his whirlwind innings, India posted a mammoth total of 240-3 and went on to win by 67 runs.
#3 72* - SA vs IND, T20 World Cup semifinal, 2014
A semifinal against South Africa at the Men's T20 World Cup 2014 in Mirpur, Dhaka, saw Virat Kohli standing tall in a run-chase to guide India to the final.
Set a target of 173 to progress to the summit clash, India were two down for 77, having lost both their openers. South Africa, until this game, had never been beaten while defending a total above 170.
However, Kohli was committed to the cause, scripting a memorable chase as he carried India through. With an unbeaten 72 off just 44, at a strike rate of 163, with five fours and a couple of sixes, his well-measured innings led India to a six-wicket win over the Proteas.
#2 82* - IND vs AUS, T20 World Cup, 2016
It was 2016 when Virat Kohli was in the form of his life across formats. At the very top of his game, he produced yet another masterclass in a tricky run-chase.
Facing Australia in a T20 World Cup clash in Mohali, India were set a target of 161. The hosts were in a spot of bother at 94-4. However, between Australia and victory stood a determined Kohli, who played one of his greatest T20I knocks in terms of the impact it had.
Scoring an unbeaten 82 off 51, the chase master once again demonstrated why he's the best in the world, particularly while chasing targets. With a strike rate of 160.78, striking nine fours and two sixes, Kohli finished the game for India, bailing the team out of a tough situation.
MS Dhoni and his men registered a six-wicket win as Kohli's magic steered India into the semifinals.
#1 82* - PAK vs IND, T20 World Cup, 2022
All of Virat Kohli's performances are on one side, and this is on the other. There simply cannot be a greater innings the man could possibly have played in his T20I career.
Facing Pakistan in a high-voltage clash of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2022 in Melbourne, Virat Kohli produced a knock for the ages. Batting first, Pakistan posted a competitive total of 159-8.
India's chase didn't start well, as both openers were sent back with the scorecard reading 10-2. The situation exacerbated, as they were reduced to 31-4 in the seventh over. However, there was hope for India, as Virat Kohli was at the crease.
Kohli, along with Hardik Pandya, stitched together a 113-run stand that kept India in the hunt. Requiring 28 off eight, Kohli smashed Haris Rauf for two incredible sixes, which turned the tide in India's favour. He remained unbeaten on 82 as the Men in Blue pulled off one of the best chases ever.
His unbeaten 82 off 53 to take India home from a point where the game seemed lost goes down as one of the best T20I knocks ever, as Kohli orchestrated a scintillating run-chase that perhaps none other could have.
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