In today’s weekend blog, I am writing about cricket. Last month India won the T20 World Cup by beating South Africa in the final. In this final India’s star batsman VIRAT KOHLI played a superb innings. After India won the final Virat announced his retirement from T20 Internationals (T20I).
He finished a stellar T20 International career registering the record for most runs by any player in T20 World Cups-1292 runs in 35 matches between 2012 and 2024 averaging 58.72 with a strike rate of 128.81. Overall, in T20I, Kohli tallied 4,188 runs in 125 games-the second most in the format-at an average of 48 and a strike rate of 137, with 38 fifties and one century.
As he bids good bye to T20I, a look at Kohli’s top knocks in T20 Internationals:
1 82 not out (53 balls) vs Pakistan, MCG 2022– Arguably one of the greatest knock in T20 cricket, his unbeaten 82 run knock powered India to memorable victory against Pakistan in the 2022 T20 World Cup. With India in trouble on 31/4, chasing a target of 160, Kohli came up with a knock for the ages as he powered India to an sensational four wicket win over Pakistan. His 53-ball knock had four sixes and six fours. Just when the match was looking like it was slipping from India’s grasp, he slammed two sixes off Harris Rauf’s last over to seal one of the most famous win.
2 76 (59 balls) vs South Africa, Barbados 2024– Kohli signed off in great style with a match-winning knock in T20 World Cup final. Struggling for runs in the earlier games, Kohli saved his best for the last as hit 76 off 59. He took his time to get going, hitting 50 from 48 balls as questions again rose about his conservative approach in the middle overs, but he made up for it at the end, hitting 26 runs from last 11 balls, with two sixes and two fours.
3 83 not out (51 balls) vs Australia, Mohali 2016– Kohli, the master f run chases, guided India home during T20 World Cup Super 10 match against Australia. Set to score 161, India found themselves in trouble on 49/3 before he came to the rescue. He got very little support from the other end as wickets fell from other end at regular intervals. With 39 needed from the last 3 overs, he went on the rampage, hitting 32 off 11 balls to take India to victory with five balls to spare.
4 78 not out (61 balls) vs Pakistan, Colombo 2012– A young Virat set the stage on fire as he starred with a match-winning knock on a difficult pitch. After Pakistan were bowled out for a below-par 128, India suffered an early blow when Gautam Gambhir was out for zero I first over. He got things back for India as he dominated75 run second wicket stand with experienced Virender Sehwag, who was making a comeback. He hit nine boundaries and two sixes to take the team home in the high-voltage contest watched by capacity crowd.
5 72 not out (44 balls) vs South Africa, Mirpur 2014– Kohli showed his class in another tough run chase against South Africa bowling attack. After SA piled on 172/4, India were able to coast to victory in the final over courtesy of Kohli, who single-handedly took the SA bowlers to cleaners. He looked in complete control from the outset, smashing 72 from 43 balls, including five fours and two sixes, to steer India through to the final.
6 94 not out (50 balls) vs West Indies, Hyderabad 2019– The West Indies (WI)suffered at the hands of Kohli, who blazed his way to 94 from 50 balls. WI had amassed a huge 207/5 on a flat wicket and India despite losing Rohit Sharma early, started strongly as Kohli and KL Rahul (62 from 40 balls) put on 100 runs in from 61 balls. Kohli raced to his 50 from 35 balls, before he smashed 44 from the next 15 balls to finish not out on 94-his highest score then as India won by six wickets with eight balls to spare.
7 70 not out (29 balls) vs West Indies, Mumbai 2019– Kohli again proved to be unstoppable against WI in same series. After Rahul (91 off 56) and Rohit (71 off 34) had given India smashing start, Kohli provided flourish at the end with an entertaining 70 not out off 21 balls with four fours and seven sixes at the strike rate of 241. India scored 240/3 while batting first, WI could only muster 173/8.
8 90 not out (55 balls) vs Australia, Adelaide, January 2016– Kohli played a blinder, smashing his way to a brilliant 90 not out from 55 balls to lift India to a huge total of 188/3 in the first T20I against Australia. After Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma perished in power play, Kohli got back India on track as he put 134 runs for third wicket with Suresh Raina. He was in complete control in the middle overs, finding the gaps at will to score nine fours and two sixes. Australia could muster only 151.
9 80 from 52 balls vs England, Ahmedabad 2021– Kohli opened the innings for India in T20I after few years, in the fifth and final T20I of series against England. He made most of his opportunity as he blazed his way to 80 from 52 balls with seven fours and two sixes. His 94-run opening stand with Rohit from 54 balls had set the platform as India piled on a massive 224/2 in 20 overs. In reply, England finished on 188/8, and India clinched the series 3-2.
10 122 not out vs Afghanistan, Dubai September 2022– Kohli ended the long wait for a hundred in T20I, as he reached the elusive three-figure mark. He struck a high-quality 122 not out in 61 balls to take India 212/2. This hundred was his 71st hundred in International cricket equaling the tally of Ricky Ponting. India won this match by 101 runs.
After winning the player of the match award in T20 World Cup final, he announced his retirement, and he said “ It’s time for next generation to take over. There are some amazing players playing in India. I’ve no doubts they will keep the flag waving high, and really take this team further from here now”.
Virat Kohli will keep on playing in IPL.
Waiting for your feedback on this blog.
Anil Malik
Mumbai, India
9th August 2024