Gautam Gambhir Rates Virat Kohli's 183 Against Pakistan As One Of The Greatest Knocks By An Indian
Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli in a single frame [X.com]
Virat Kohli’s legendary 183 against Pakistan in the 2012 Asia Cup remains one of the most celebrated innings in ODI history. In an illustrious career spanning 16 years, Kohli has mastered the art of run-chases, making them his signature feat. Yet, this particular innings stands out not only because of the formidable opposition but also due to the high-stakes scenario.
In that memorable match, India was tasked with a daunting target of 330 runs. With the pressure mounting, Kohli stepped up to deliver a masterclass, scoring 183 off 148 balls. His innings was instrumental in guiding India to victory in the 48th over, securing their place in the tournament.
Gautam Gambhir, who took over as head coach of the Indian men’s cricket team following Rahul Dravid’s successful tenure, shared his thoughts on Kohli’s iconic knock during a recent interview with bcci.tv. Gambhir, now at the helm of Indian cricket, lauded Kohli’s innings as "probably the best ODI innings I've seen played by an Indian."
"Your 183 against Pakistan in Asia Cup while chasing 300+ is the best ODI innings I've seen played by an Indian," Gambhir said in the video.
Gambhir’s tenure began with mixed results: a T20I series win against Sri Lanka was offset by a loss in the ODI series. As he prepares for the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh, starting September 19 in Chennai, Gambhir’s reflections on past performances, like Kohli’s 183, highlight his deep appreciation for cricketing achievements.
Gambhir Praises Kohli’s Impact On Pace-Bowling Development
In the same conversation, Gambhir also praised Kohli for his role in nurturing a strong pace-bowling unit at a young age. Gambhir commended Kohli’s leadership, particularly during his early years as Test captain, for fostering a formidable bowling lineup. "You built a solid fast bowling unit," Gambhir remarked. "The credit must go to you for the way you formed the team and your attitude towards winning overseas Tests."