Having accumulated 2818 runs from 46 matches across all formats in the calendar year 2017, Virat Kohli has been as successful as Indian cricket team that defeated the best of international teams in the concluding year.
Leading Team India to the No.1 position in ICC Test team rankings and second in ODIs and T20Is’ chart, Kohli didn’t fail to impress fans with individual achievements. He stood on No.2 in Tests, No.1 in ODIs and No.3 in T20I rankings in the end of the year.
As the 29-year-old batsman is set to enter the new year, carrying his fans’ expectations forward, let’s recall some of his best innings of 2017.
122 vs England at Pune in January
Taking over as India’s limited-over captain, Kohli led by example on his first ODI match as skipper. Although tough rivals England posted a mammoth total of 350/7 while batting first, Kohli played responsibly and propelled his side to a three-wicket win. He scored 122 runs off 105 balls, gracing his knock with eight boundaries and five sixes.
204 vs Bangladesh at Hyderabad in February
In February, the aggressive hitter showcased the world how he can excel in the longest format of cricket as well. He slammed 204 runs off 246 balls in a one-off Test match against Bangladesh in Hyderabad. Kohli hit 24 boundaries in his composed knock and was bestowed with ‘the player of the series’ award in Hyderabad.
96* vs Bangladesh at Birmingham in June
During the ICC Champions Trophy, in which India concluded as runners-up, Kohli managed to keep his momentum intact. One of his most iconic innings from the 50-over tournament was his unbeaten knock of 96 runs against Bangladesh in Birmingham. He struck 13 boundaries in his 78-ball knock as India registered an emphatic nine-wicket win.
111* vs West Indies at Kingston in July
On India’s tour of West Indies following Champions Trophy, Kohli pulled off a stellar performance to guide his team to a 3-1 series win. In the fifth and final ODI at Kingston, he shone with an unbeaten 111-run knock, which was decorated with 12 boundaries and two sixes.
131 vs Sri Lanka at Colombo in August
Playing against Sri Lanka, which lost to India both at home and away, Kohli made merry scoring runs throughout the series. In the fourth ODI of the five-match series, Kohli made 131 runs off 96 balls to take his team to a strong total of 375/5. Sri Lanka were wrapped for mere 207 runs, losing the game by 168 runs.
82 vs Sri Lanka at Colombo in September
In subsequent month, Kohli played his year’s most impressive innings of T20I cricket against Sri Lanka at Colombo. With the help of seven boundaries and a six, he scored 82 runs off 54 balls. Thanks to Kohli’s remarkable knock, India won the high-scoring thriller by seven wickets with four balls remaining.
121 vs New Zealand at Mumbai in October
During New Zealand tour of India, while critics were busy comparing Kohli with visiting team skipper Kane Williamson, the Indian kept his calm and pushed his juggernaut forward, scoring runs against a competitive limited-over side. Kohli’s 121-run knock against New Zealand in Mumbai remains a high point of the series as the right-hander scored a century amidst tough bowling attack. Although India lost the match by six wickets, Kohli's notable knock displayed his depth and determination.
104* vs Sri Lanka at Kolkata in November
Returning to haunt Sri Lanka in his last Test series of the year, Kohli made a memorable start after he scored 104 runs (not out) in tough conditions in Kolkata. The match ended in a draw, but by now Kohli had decoded the Islanders’ weakness which he used against them in subsequent matches.
213 vs Sri Lanka at Nagpur in November
In the second Test against Sri Lanka, Kohli came stronger and slammed a 213-run knock that drove India to a huge total of 610/6. Kohli had scored two boundaries and 17 sixes in his measured 267-ball knock in Nagpur.
243 vs Sri Lanka at Delhi in December
The Delhi-based cricketer showed his true grit in the smog-affected conditions at his home ground Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium. While the visitors appeared choking despite carrying pollution masks, Kohli inhaled more oxygen to score his Test best knock of 243 runs. He struck 25 boundaries in his 287-ball knock as India clinched the three-match Test series 1-0.
