Virat Kohli’s top 3 knocks in T20 World Cup
Star India batter Virat Kohli loves performing on the big stage in T20 World Cup tournaments. The third-highest run-getter of the competition, Kohli has smashed 927 runs in 20 innings at an average of 84.27, which includes 11 half-centuries. His chasing record speaks volumes as the right-handed batter has struck 541 runs in 10 innings at a staggering average of 270.50 with seven fifties. Kohli, who made his T20 WC debut in 2012, has registered some top-quality knocks.
Let’s take a look at Virat Kohli’s top 3 scores in the history of T20 World Cup competitions:
78* vs Pakistan in 2012
Virat Kohli’s third-best score in T20 World Cups came against arch-rivals Pakistan in Colombo (RPS) in the 2012 edition. The Men in Green batted first and got bundled out for just 128 in 19.4 overs with L Balaji picking up 3/22. Chasing just 129, India lost Gautam Gambhir on the second delivery of the innings, and in came Kohli at no. three. He took control of the chase to perfection as he slammed an unbeaten 78 off 61 with eight fours and two maximums and guided India to a comfortable eight-wicket victory in 17 overs.
82* vs Australia in 2016 and 82* vs Pakistan in 2022
Kohli’s joint-second scores of 82* are probably the best knocks of his T20 international career and both instances came in the T20 WCs. In one of the most breathtaking innings in the T20I chase, Kohli stunned the Australians with his fantabulous knock in Mohali in 2016. The Aussies batted first and posted 160/6 in their allotted 20 overs. India were 49/3 at one stage and then 94/4 at the end of the 14th over with 67 needing off the last six overs. The star batter then wreaked havoc as he hammered an unbeaten 82 off just 51 with nine fours and two sixes to seal a six-wicket win for his side in the final over.
Pakistanis were again on the receiving end this time in the ongoing eighth edition of the tournament in 2022. Babar Azam’s side batted first and scored 159/8 in 20 overs. The Men in Blue found themselves in big trouble at 31/4 in 6.1 overs. With 31 needed off the final two overs, Kohli smashed two maximums off Haris Rauf in the 19th over to send the Melbourne crowd into raptures. He ended up with 82* off 52 with six fours and four maximums to script a memorable four-wicket victory for India.
89* vs West Indies in 2016
Kohli’s highest score of 89* in T20 World Cup competitions came in a losing cause against West Indies in the semi-final of the 2016 campaign in Mumbai. Hosts India batted first and posted a mammoth 192/2 in 20 overs on the board courtesy of a special knock from Virat. He hammered 89 not out off just 47 with the help of 11 fours and one maximum. Unfortunately, his side couldn’t end up winning the semi-final clash as West Indies defeated the Men in Blue but the knock was one of the best exhibitions in a losing cause.
