Top 5: Virat Kohli’s Highest Scores in ODI Cricket

Virat Kohli has dominated ODI cricket like no other, averaging over 55, and he holds the record for scoring the most ODI hundreds.

In this article, we will talk about Virat Kohli’s top 5 highest individual scores in ODI cricket.

5. 154* vs New Zealand | 2016

Virat Kohli, who has scored most centuries in ODI run chases, put up a masterclass innings of 154* runs from 134 balls in 2016, with the help of 16 fours and a six. India were facing New Zealand in Mohali, where the Kiwis were bowled out for 285 runs in the first innings.

The right-hander batter had to come out to bat in the third over as India lost the first wicket early. Kohli started his innings by smashing his cover drives against Boult and stepping out to play Tim Southee. Kohli kept the required run rate in check and won the match for India by the 49th over. 

4. 157* vs West Indies | 2018

In 2018, Virat Kohli smashed 157* runs from 129 balls against the West Indies in Visakhapatnam. Kohli came out to bat in the 4th over of the innings as Rohit Sharma was dismissed early.

He played this innings in his typical style by taking a lot of singles and doubles. After the 40th over, Kohli started the acceleration, hitting Obed McCoy and Jason Holder for boundaries and taking India to a total of 321 runs. The match ended in a tie.

Also Read | Top 5: Virat Kohli’s Highest Scores in Test Cricket

3. 160* vs South Africa | 2018

Virat Kohli’s innings of 160* runs against South Africa was a proper masterpiece. Kohli had to come out to bat in the second over of the innings, and he carried his bat till the end, taking India’s total to 303/6.

Once Shikhar Dhawan was dismissed in the 24th, Kohli did not get any support from the middle order. The conditions were tough to bat, and the middle order kept on throwing away their wickets as hitting the ball was tough at the track of Newlands, Cape Town, that day.

The right-hander adapted to the pitch quickly and patiently waited for the poor balls to hit. Kohli targeted the longer boundaries to take the doubles, and he was quick enough to steal the close singles.

The South African batters struggled too, and they were bowled out for 179 runs. India won the match by 124 runs.

2. 166* vs Sri Lanka | 2023

In 2023, Virat Kohli smashed the Sri Lankan bowlers all around the ground in his innings of 166* runs. He took only 110 balls to score those many runs with the help of 13 fours and 8 sixes.

India were off to a great start, and Kohli came out to bat after the 15th over. He had to keep the run rate going, and Kohli did exactly the same, hitting the ball to the gap while facing the spinners and timing the ball accurately against the pacers.

Kohli was at 93 runs from 80 balls by the end of the 40 overs, and all of his 8 sixes were hit in the last 10 overs. Kohli smashed 73 runs from the last 30 balls that he faced.

1.183 vs Pakistan | 2012

Virat Kohli’s knock of 183 runs is one of the finest innings ever played by a youngster in the Asia Cup for India. The knock was even more special as it came against India’s arch-rivals, Pakistan.

India were chasing a huge target of 330 runs against Pakistan in Dhaka. India lost the wicket of opener Gautam Gambhir in the first over.

Kohli started to dominate Umar Gul early in his innings, and once set, he took Wahab Riaz to the cleaners. Kohli stitched a 133-run partnership with Sachin Tendulkar and a 172-run partnership with Rohit Sharma.

Virat Kohli’s innings involved 22 fours and 2 sixes. India won the match by 6 wickets with 13 balls remaining.