Even though Virat Kohli has basically been a shell of himself over the past three years, his ODI form up until 2019 was so strong that his average has remained at 57.68, and his century and career run total remain way in front of any of his contemporaries. All of it began in the first few years of the previous decade, and in a match against Pakistan in the Asia Cup in 2012, Virat Kohli delivered one of the famous knocks that solidified him as one of India’s most important hitters.
When India lost opener Gautam Gambhir off the second delivery of their innings for no runs while chasing a total of 330, a 23-year-old Kohli came in. The match’s 48th over only saw the conclusion of the ensuing tremendous knock. That day, Kohli made 183 runs off just 148 balls, which is still his best ODI total.
Ahead of the clash between arch rivals India and Pakistan, Kohli recalled his highest ODI score knock in a video posted by BCCI. He said, “The Asia Cup always has been memorable. The 183 definitely stands out because that was kind of a revelation for me. At 23, I could play at that level. Big game, Sunday, Pakistan in a big chase. I kind of surprised myself. From there my belief grew more and more.”
He also mentioned another memorable innings that came in Asia Cup 2016 India vs Pakistan match. He said, “The other game that was special to me and I remember is again against Pakistan. In Bangladesh, I got 49 odd on a very tricky pitch. These are kind of the games that always stay in your memory.”
In the 2016 Asia Cup India had dismissed Pakistan for just 83 runs. Despite the low score, India had to face in form Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Sami on the hazardous Mirpur pitch. In 51 balls, Kohli struck 49 runs, guiding them to victory.
He further added, “Against Pakistan, you can’t really ignore what’s created on the outside. But as a player as I’ve said many times in the past, when you step on to the field, it’s any other game for you. The environment on the outside can pull you in but that is for you to enjoy and get excited about till the time you get to the park and then it is business as usual.”
