Virat Kohli has 14,255 runs in 305 ODIs with a record 51 centuries and 75 half-centuries. (BCCI Photo)Over the course of his career, Virat Kohli has scored 51 centuries in the ODI format besides 75 half-centuries to pile on 14,255 runs in 305 ODIs. But one of the most Mahendra Singh Dhoni-esque innings from Kohli came at Dhoni’s hometown of Ranchi in 2014, when Dhoni was not part of the Indian team.
As Ranchi gets ready to host Kohli again this weekend when India take on South Africa in the first ODI, it would be fitting to remember how Kohli magic had inspired Team India to a famous win over Sri Lanka 11 years ago.
The team back in 2014 was captained by Kohli and had come to Ranchi leading the five-match series 4-0 against Sri Lanka. But the fifth ODI, where Sri Lanka were batting first, looked to be a dicey game for them after captain Angelo Mathews scored an unbeaten 139 to help the visitors set a target of 287 runs. India’s chase had started in the worst way possible: they slumped to 14/2 at the start as dark clouds started to gather over their dream of a fifth win on the trot.
Then, Kohli allowed Ambati Rayudu to walk into bat at no 3 rather than coming in. Kohli eventually walked in at No 4. He then proceeded to play one of the most Dhoni-esque innings of his career.
As wickets around him fell regularly with batters getting starts but then not converting, Kohli stayed the course in the middle, playing some imperious cricket on the way. He hit 12 fours, and three sixes. Two of those sixes came with the finish line in sight.
For good measure, Kohli ended the game with a six too, to remind fans of a certain Ranchi boy who had a penchant for such heroics. The only way the innings could have been more Dhoni-esque was if Kohli had hit the winning six in the 50th over rather than the 49th!
That innings was Kohli’s 21st century in ODIs –- 13 of which had led to successful chases for India.
The series also saw Kohli get his fourth Player of the Series award in ODIs.
After being swept 2-0 in the recent Test series by South Africa, the Indian ODI team will be looking for some Kohli magic again when they play the first ODI at Dhoni’s hometown.
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