What is Virat Kohli's record in Cardiff in ODIs?

Virat Kohli holds a strong record at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff, where his sole ODI century came against England in 2011 but ended in defeat as the hosts chased down a revised target of 241 in 32.2 overs. The Indian batter's impressive venue statistics stand at an average of 49 per innings, giving him a comfortable platform heading into the upcoming England fixture at the same location.

In the final game of India's 2011 tour of England, Kohli crafted a sixth ODI century, scoring 107 off 93 balls and sharing a 170-run partnership with Rahul Dravid for the third wicket, before being dismissed hit wicket in that innings. The knock showcased his technical maturity and mental strength in a high-pressure contest, though his side ultimately fell short of the target.

Two years later, in the 2013 Champions Trophy semi-final against Sri Lanka at Cardiff, Kohli struck an unbeaten 58 in an eight-wicket win for India. The batter added a fifty to four centuries he had scored in his previous seven matches against Sri Lanka, reinforcing his reputation as a player who thrives in major tournaments on English soil.

Kohli's unbeaten 58 marked his eighth half-century to go with his five hundreds against Sri Lanka, demonstrating his consistent excellence in the head-to-head record against the island nation. The contrast between his 2011 defeat and 2013 triumph at the same ground highlights the context-dependent nature of individual performances in international cricket.

With England and India set to clash at Sophia Gardens on Thursday, July 16, Kohli will aim to build on his positive overall record at the venue. The ground has clearly brought out the best in his batting across two memorable international occasions, and the opportunity to add another significant innings awaits him in the upcoming series.