Previewing Kohli’s best limited-overs innings leading up to the T20 World Cup final

With questions surrounding Kohli’s future in limited-overs cricket, Al Jazeera looks back at the icon’s greatest knocks. Despite Rohit Sharma leading India into the ICC T20 World Cup final, it is Virat Kohli who remains in the spotlight, albeit for different reasons. Kohli, who has played in 529 matches for India and scored nearly 29,000 runs across all formats since his debut in 2008, has been struggling during this tournament. With only 75 runs in seven innings, Kohli’s place in the Indian team is now in question, raising doubts about his future in international cricket.

Kohli’s brilliance has seen him pull India out of despair multiple times, but now the tables have turned, and it’s his teammates who need to step up. As one of the greatest batters of all time faces a lean patch, can his teammates return the favor on Saturday in the final of the ICC T20 World Cup? Despite his recent struggles, Kohli’s career is filled with memorable moments, and Al Jazeera takes a look back at five of his finest limited-over moments on the global stage that have solidified his status as an icon of the game, including his contributions to India’s World Cup triumph in 2011 and his stellar performances in various tournaments.

In 2011, three years after his international debut, Kohli was part of India’s Cricket World Cup-winning team in a tournament held on home soil. While he played cameos in the knock-out stages and final, his contributions were crucial in securing victory for India. Similarly, in 2012, Kohli emerged as a limited-overs genius with a match-winning innings in a tri-nation ODI series in Australia, saving India from elimination. His unbeaten 133 against Sri Lanka showcased his ability to guide his team to victory under pressure, cementing his reputation as a world-class player.

One of Kohli’s standout moments came in the Asia Cup 2012 against Pakistan, where he played a match-winning innings of 183 off 148 balls, leading India to a successful chase of 330 runs. His partnership with Tendulkar and Sharma was instrumental in India’s victory, showcasing Kohli’s ability to rise to the occasion in high-pressure situations. In the 2014 T20 World Cup, Kohli’s heroics against South Africa in the semifinal helped India secure a spot in the final, where they eventually fell short to Sri Lanka. Kohli’s 74 off 42 deliveries against a formidable bowling attack remains a standout performance in T20 World Cup history.

In the 2022 T20 World Cup, Kohli once again displayed his ability to turn the tide with a remarkable innings against Pakistan. Facing a daunting target of 160, India found themselves in trouble at 31-4 before Kohli single-handedly steered them to victory with an unbeaten 82 off 53 balls. His spectacular turnaround in that match left Pakistan stunned and showcased his unmatched skill and determination on the field. Despite his recent struggles in the current T20 World Cup, Kohli’s legacy as one of cricket’s all-time greats is secure, thanks to his numerous match-winning performances on the global stage.