When the pressure is on and the target looks impossible, there’s one man India has always turned to — Virat Kohli. Over the years, Kohli has turned chasing into an art form, producing some of the most memorable match-winning knocks in modern cricket. Here are five times he single-handedly carried India home when all hope seemed lost.
1. 133 vs Sri Lanka, Hobart (2012) – The Birth of the Chase Master*
India needed to chase 321 in 40 overs to stay alive in the CB Series. Kohli walked in early and played one of the greatest ODI knocks ever — a 133 off just 86 balls*. His assault on Lasith Malinga was brutal, as India chased the target in 36.4 overs. This was the innings that announced the arrival of the chase master.
2. 82 vs Australia, Mohali (T20 World Cup 2016)*
In a virtual quarterfinal, India were in deep trouble chasing 161, reduced to 49/3. Kohli calmly rebuilt before exploding late in the innings, finishing with an unbeaten 82 off 51 balls. His sprint between the wickets with Dhoni and precise strokeplay under pressure sealed one of India’s most famous T20 wins.
3. 183 vs Pakistan, Dhaka (Asia Cup 2012)
A chase against Pakistan always brings pressure — and Kohli delivered like never before. Chasing 330, he smashed a stunning 183 off 148 balls, the highest score of his ODI career. With boundaries all around the ground, Kohli’s innings made a high-pressure chase look effortless.
4. 122 vs England, Pune (2017)*
In the first ODI of the series, India were reeling at 63/4 chasing 351. Kohli took charge, first steadying the innings and then attacking the bowlers with perfect control. His 122 off 105 balls*, in partnership with Kedar Jadhav, guided India to a miraculous win and reminded everyone why he’s the master of pacing a chase.
5. 82 vs Pakistan, Melbourne (T20 World Cup 2022)*
Perhaps Kohli’s greatest T20 innings. Under the lights at the MCG, India were 31/4 chasing 160. Kohli’s calm, calculated brilliance — highlighted by two unforgettable sixes off Haris Rauf — took India home in the final over. His 82 off 53 balls* wasn’t just a knock; it was an emotional rollercoaster that defined his legacy all over again.
