The game that kickstarted Virat Kohli’s rise

Published - 30 Oct 2025, 19:54 IST | Updated - 30 Oct 2025, 19:54 IST

Virat Kohli might be in the twilight of his career, but he is still producing some splendid performances with the bat in international cricket as well as in the Indian Premier League (IPL). The veteran batter registered ducks in the first two games in the recently-concluded three-match ODI series against Australia. However, he bounced back superbly to score a match-winning half-century in the final ODI.

Kohli is 36 years old now, but he is still among the best fielders in world cricket. He has made this possible with his eagerness to work on his fitness and remain on a clean diet. Having retired from Tests and T20Is, the Delhi batter will have his sights set on playing the 2027 ODI World Cup and adding another major silverware to his illustrious cabinet.

Kohli is third on the list of leading run-getters of all time in international cricket behind Sachin Tendulkar and Kumar Sangakkara. He has the most centuries in ODIs. On that note, we take a look at the innings that gave fans the belief that he could be the next superstar in world cricket.

Kohli smashed a brilliant 133 off 86 balls in an ODI against Sri Lanka in Hobart on February 28, 2012. Before this knock, Kohli had played some blinders, but this innings served as a shot in his arm and pushed him towards greatness.

After centuries from Tillakaratne Dilshan and Kumar Sangakkara, Sri Lanka managed a massive score of 320/4 in their 50 overs. India needed to chase the target in just 40 overs to keep themselves alive in the tri-series. Kohli took the Sri Lankan bowling attack to the cleaners, batting with fluidity and elegance against experienced campaigners like Lasith Malinga and Nuwan Kulasekara, among others.

In the end, Kohli remained unbeaten on 133, hitting 16 fours and two sixes, as India romped home in 36.4 overs. The cricket fraternity lauded Kohli's brilliance with the bat after that knock.

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Only 20 days later, he would notch up his highest score in ODI cricket - 183 (148) against Pakistan in the Asia Cup. There was no stopping the Delhi batter after these knocks as he went from strength to strength and single-handedly won his team several matches.