Virat Kohli’s T20 World Cup Farewell: A Look Back at His Greatest Hits

Virat Kohli, a legend of the game, recently retired from T20 Internationals, but not without leaving his mark on the biggest stage – the T20 World Cup. He finished his T20I career holding the record for the most runs scored in the tournament’s history – a whopping 1,292 runs in just 33 innings! That’s an average of nearly 59 runs per innings, and he scored them incredibly fast, at an average of over 128 runs every 100 balls.

Let’s take a trip down memory lane and revisit some of Kohli’s most jaw-dropping performances in T20 World Cups:

2012 – A Crucial Partnership in Colombo

Back in 2012, during a crucial Super Eights match against Pakistan in Colombo, India needed a strong performance. Kohli stepped up and smashed an unbeaten 78 runs off just 61 balls. Remember, this is the shortest format of the game, so scoring that many runs in such a short time is amazing! He didn’t just rely on the bat though; he even chipped in with a wicket, taking 1 for 21 runs, and earning himself the Player of the Match award.

2014 – Leading India to the Finals

The 2014 World Cup saw another Kohli masterclass. Chasing a target of 173 runs in the semi-final against South Africa, the pressure was on. But Kohli, the master chaser, rose to the occasion. He hammered an unbeaten 72 runs off just 43 balls, including five boundaries and two sixes. With his knock, he steered India to the finals, even though they ended up as runners-up. However, Kohli was named Player of the Tournament for scoring the most runs (319) in the entire competition.

2016 – A Nail-biting Finish Against Australia

In the 2016 World Cup, India faced another challenging run chase against Australia. They needed 161 runs to win, but things weren’t looking good when they lost 3 wickets early, with the score at just 49. Enter Kohli! He played a crucial knock, scoring an unbeaten 82 runs off just 11 balls in the last 3 overs. Imagine the pressure! With his heroics, India secured a thrilling victory and advanced to the next stage.

2022 – Last-Ball Heroics at MCG

The 2022 World Cup saw another Kohli special, this time at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Chasing a target of 160 runs, India found themselves in a tight spot, losing 4 wickets with just 31 runs on the board. But Kohli, known for his fighting spirit, never gives up. He stitched together a brilliant partnership with Hardik Pandya, and guess what? They pulled off an impossible win with just one ball remaining! Kohli scored a phenomenal 82 runs off just 53 balls, yet again bagging the Player of the Match award.

2024 – A Fitting Farewell in the Finals

Finally, in the 2024 World Cup finals, Kohli saved the best for last. After a shaky performance throughout the tournament, he silenced his critics with a brilliant 76 runs off 59 balls in the finals against South Africa. This knock secured India’s victory and earned Kohli yet another Player of the Match award. What a way to end his T20 World Cup career!

Virat Kohli’s T20 World Cup record is truly remarkable. He has consistently delivered under pressure, leading India to numerous victories and etching his name forever in the history of the tournament.