When we talk about Virat Kohli we talk about his centuries. In such a short span he has scored 43 ODI centuries and is just 7 away from breaking the record of his idol – Sachin Tendulkar. Virat Kohli is probably the greatest chaser in the history of ODI cricket. The way he times his chase and takes his team home is incredible.
Sometimes when there is a huge chase, he starts taking on the bowlers from the word go and as a result, he has managed to score some quick centuries. When you have 43 ODI centuries some of them have to be quick. So, on that note, let’s have a look at the five fastest ODI centuries by the Indian captain – Virat Kohli.
5. 81 balls vs West Indies, 2013
India was up against West Indies in the tri-series in 2013. West Indies won the toss, and they asked India to bat first at the Port of Spain in Trinidad. The Indian openers gave a good start as they put up a 100-run partnership. Virat Kohli came in when the score was 123-1.
He started hitting the ball from the middle of the bat from the very start which helped him get a brisk start. He continued hitting boundaries throughout the innings and as a result, reached his century in just 81 balls. Furthermore, he was the Man of the Match for his 102 off 83 balls which included 13 fours and 2 sixes.
4. 76 balls vs Sri Lanka, 2017
India had taken an unassailable lead of 3-0 going into the fourth ODI at Colombo in 2017. India won the toss and opted to bat first on what was a great wicket to bat on. Shikhar Dhawan got out early and Kohli walked in at 6-1. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma smashed the Sri Lankan bowler to all the parts of the park as both of them scored centuries.
Kohli bought up his century in just 76 balls and had a chance to score a double century but was dismissed on 131 off 96 balls with 17 fours and two sixes. India went on to score 375-5 and won the game pretty easily.
3. 76 balls vs Sri Lanka, 2012
Most of the Indian cricket fans know this special Virat Kohli innings. India needed a bonus point to stay in the tri-series and as a result, they had to chase down the score in 40 overs. Sri Lanka put up a mammoth total of 320, and it seemed as if the series was done and dusted for the Indian team.
Virat Kohli came in at No.4 and batted as if he was batting here for the last five years. He smashed all the Sri Lankan bowlers including Lasith Malinga who was at his prime in 2012. He bought up his century in just 76 balls as he smashed 24 runs off a Malinga over. Kohli ended up with 133* off 86 balls as India chased down the score in just 36.4 overs.
2. 60 balls vs Australia, 2013
One year after the special innings at Hobart, Kohli had a couple of master chases in the India-Australia ODI series in 2013. India had to chase down 351 at Nagpur in a do-or-die game. The openers gave India a perfect start as Virat walked in at 178-1. He took on the Australian bowlers from the start of the innings and scored a century off just 60 balls.
The chase got tight in the end, but he ensured that India crossed the line as he remained not out on 115 off just 66 balls with 18 fours and one six. India managed to level the series 2-2 going into the decider all thanks to Virat Kohli.
1. 52 balls vs Australia, 2013
Before scoring a 60-ball century he scored even a quicker century in the same series. The target was even steeper as India had to chase down 360 at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur. The openers gave another perfect start as India’s No.3 walked in at 176-1.
He took on the likes of Mitchell Johnson and Shane Watson as he was demolishing the Australian bowlers. He smashed 8 fours and 7 sixes as he bought up his century in just 52 balls which is the fastest ODI century by an Indian. Rohit Sharma scored 141* as the Indian team chased down 360 in just 43.3 overs with nine wickets in hand. It was a historic run-chase from the Indian team at Jaipur in 2013.
