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Virat Kohli Stunned Sri Lanka In 2012; The Day A 23-Year-Old Redefined Chasing

Soumyajit Dutta

Virat Kohli smashing boundaries at Hobart [Source: @CricCrazyJohns/X.com]Virat Kohli smashing boundaries at Hobart [Source: @CricCrazyJohns/X.com]

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On this day, back in 2012, India needed 321 runs in 40 overs to stay alive in the Commonwealth Bank Series. What followed was a masterclass that announced Virat Kohli’s arrival as the Chase Master.

Throwback To The Despair Of India

India's tour of Australia in 2011-12 had been a saga of struggle. The batting unit, sans their usual flair, had limped through the Test series and carried that frailty into the ODIs. Facing elimination, India's task against Sri Lanka in Hobart was Herculean, that is, to chase 321 in 40 overs for a bonus point. 

For perspective, no team had ever chased 300+ in under 40 overs back in 20212. The Sri Lankan attack, led by Lasith Malinga, smelled blood. But Kohli, then a fiery youngster with a chip on his shoulder, rewrote the script.

The Kohli Carnage

Walking in at 86/2 after Sachin Tendulkar's dismissal, Kohli joined Gautam Gambhir. The duo steadied the ship, but the real fireworks began after Gambhir's exit. With Suresh Raina as his ally, Kohli unleashed a calculated assault. 

Malinga, the yorker maestro, was reduced to a mere spectator. In the 35th over, Kohli flicked, sliced, and drove Malinga for 24 runs, including a wristy six over fine leg that sealed the deal for India.

Needing 24 off 14, Kohli sealed the chase with back-to-back fours off Malinga, finishing with a roar that echoed India's resurgence. Notably, India plundered 127 runs in the final 10 overs. Kohli's 16 boundaries and two sixes were a mix of whip-driven flicks, cover drives, and cheeky scoops.

The Legacy of the Knock

Kohli's 133* was a statement as he showcased a maturity beyond his years, manipulating gaps, farming strikes, and dismantling Malinga's aura. The innings saved India from elimination and redefined chasing, proving that even 8.75 runs per over could be tamed with clarity and intent.

This knock laid the foundation for Kohli's reputation as modern cricket's greatest chaser. It wasn't just the runs, it was the fearlessness. A young star, in alien conditions, against a lethal attack, made the impossible look routine.