Since the retirement of Sachin Tendulkar, India has been in search of a new chase master, and Virat Kohli has unquestionably assumed that mantle. Kohli’s remarkable ability to chase down targets has made him a cricketing legend. When chasing, he operates like a strategic genius, carefully analyzing the game while maintaining composure and confidence. He has scored 26 of his 43 ODI centuries during chases, a testament to his chasing prowess. Here, we revisit ten of his most celebrated “chase master” innings that solidify his title:
10. 107 vs. Sri Lanka (2009)
On December 24, 2009, a young Virat Kohli announced his arrival as a chase master by scoring his maiden ODI century in Kolkata against Sri Lanka. He amassed 107 runs from 114 balls, featuring eleven boundaries and a six. Kohli’s innings, alongside Gautam Gambhir’s 150*, led India to a seven-wicket victory while chasing a formidable 316-run target.
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9. 133 vs. Sri Lanka (2012)*
In a tri-series involving Australia, India, and Sri Lanka in 2012, Kohli unleashed an unbeaten 133 off just 86 balls against Sri Lanka. His blistering knock included sixteen fours and two sixes, propelling India to an astonishing chase of 320 runs in just 36.4 overs and earning him the moniker “chase master.”
8. 136 vs. Bangladesh (2014)
In the 2014 Asia Cup, Kohli demonstrated his chasing prowess by scoring 136 off 122 balls, comprising sixteen fours and two sixes, in a match against Bangladesh. Despite early wicket losses, Kohli anchored India’s victory in a challenging run chase of 280.
7. 72 vs. South Africa (2014)*
During the 2014 ICC T20 World Cup semi-final between India and South Africa, Kohli played an unbeaten innings of 72 runs from just 44 balls. His incredible strike rate of over 163, featuring five fours and two sixes, propelled India to a six-wicket victory, securing a place in the finals.
6. 94 vs. West Indies (2019)*
In the first T20I clash between India and the West Indies on December 6, 2019, Kohli blazed an unbeaten 94 off a mere 50 balls. With six fours and six sixes, he helped India chase down a challenging target of 208 runs, boasting a remarkable strike rate of 188.
5. 115 vs. Australia (2014)*
In a historic ODI series against Australia, India faced a daunting target of 351 runs. Kohli’s extraordinary innings of 115 off just 66 balls, featuring eighteen fours and a six, played a pivotal role in India’s thrilling chase, exemplifying his chasing prowess.
4. 154 vs. New Zealand (2016)*
On October 26, 2016, Kohli unleashed an unbeaten 154-run innings during an ODI against New Zealand. Chasing a target of 286 runs, Kohli’s exceptional performance, alongside a brilliant 151-run partnership with Dhoni, led India to victory with ten balls to spare.
3. 122 vs. England (2017)
In his debut match as India’s ODI captain, Kohli faced an imposing target of 351 set by England. India was struggling at 64/4 in the 12th over, but Kohli’s heroic innings of 122 off 105 balls, including eight fours and five sixes, orchestrated an improbable victory.
2. 183 vs. Pakistan (2012)
Kohli left an indelible mark with his phenomenal innings against Pakistan in the 2012 Asia Cup. Facing a target of 330, Kohli smashed 183 runs off 148 balls, featuring twenty-two fours and a six, guiding India to a thrilling six-wicket victory.
1. 100 vs. Australia (2013)*
In the 2013-14 Australia-India tour, Kohli’s astonishing century off just 52 balls stands as a monumental chase. On October 16, 2013, India chased down a challenging target of 360 runs with 39 balls to spare and nine wickets in hand. Kohli’s innings, adorned with eight fours and seven sixes, set the record for the fastest century by an Indian player in one-day international cricket.
These ten innings underscore Virat Kohli’s undeniable mastery in the art of chasing and solidify his reputation as a true “Chase Master” in cricket.