Watch: 23-year-old Virat Kohli takes apart Malinga in 24-run over, churns out epic 133* in first signs of ODI greatness
Watch: A 23-year-old Virat Kohli produced a magnificent century against Sri Lanka back in 2012, which included a 24-run over off Lasith Malinga, helping India chase down 321 inside 40 overs.
India, who had not been at their best in the tri-series involving Australia and Sri Lanka, needed to chase down their target inside 40 overs to stay alive in the tournament. When Sri Lanka put up 320 in their innings, the pressure was transferred onto India. Kohli, though, did not flinch and produced one of the greatest ODI innings ever played by an India batter. He came out to bat at 86-2 inside 10 overs and propelled India to a superb win.
This knock included several extraordinary strokes. No sequence, however, was as good as the 24-run over off Malinga. That comprised of a shot off his pads to get to his hundred, a lofted flick over deep mid-wicket, a majestic cover drive past extra cover, and three excellent flicks off his toes. Kohli remained unbeaten on 133 as India cruised to the target inside 37 overs.
It was not enough as Sri Lanka ended up playing the final against Australia but it provided the world an early glimpse of just how special Kohli was in the ODI format.
