3 classic T20 chases by Virat Kohli against Australia
Virat Kohli is the quintessential chase master in the history of the game. Be it ODIs, T20s and even in Test matches, he has taken up the mantle to close out games for India. His stats are almost unimaginable when it comes to successful run-chases.
Kohli averages a whopping 120.62 in successful T20 chases with 965 runs in an unfathomable 19 innings. 9 of his 19 T20 fifties have come in run-chases and he has remained unbeaten in 11 innings taking his side home.
Kohli surely relishes the big stage and revels under pressure. His mantra in chasing targets has never changed. He takes his time to get a feel of the wicket after which he builds the innings with a constant rotation of strike.
He runs hard between the wickets and plays percentage cricket and puts the foot on the pedestal when the run-rate goes up. Opposition captains often find themselves clueless, when this batting genius treads the field and makes a mockery of the bowling plans.
Let's look into some of his famous T20 chases against the Australians
#3 Sydney, 3rd T20 International 2018 - 61* of 41 balls
It was a series decider and Australia won the toss and elected to bat on a two-paced pitch. Aaron Finch and D'Arcy Short provided a good opening partnership with 68 in 8.3 overs.
Krunal Pandya and Kuldeep Yadav applied the brakes in the middle overs, picking up 5 wickets between themselves. Alex Carey and Marcus Stoinis provided the much-required impetus to the innings to bolster Australia to a competitive 164 for 6 in 20 overs.
India got off to a rollicking start with Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan going hammers and tongs and notching up 67 in 6 overs. Once Dhawan was dismissed, Indian captain Virat Kohli walked only to see Rohit being bamboozled by Adam Zampa. India fell into a hole with the dismissals of KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant in quick succession.
Virat Kohli combined with Dinesh Karthik and the duo consolidated the situation. Kohli was severe against Andre Tye, hitting him for a boundary and a six when India needed over 10 per over.
He managed to smack another six off Glenn Maxwell to bring the asking rate under 9. He raised his fifty and scored to cracking boundaries to finish the contest. Kohli was unbeaten on 61 and he had once again done it for India.