NEW DELHI: Virat Kohli has a special rivalry with Australia, and his performances against them have been exceptional across all formats.
Kohli is renowned for his performances against Australia in ODIs, especially while chasing. He has a knack for pacing his innings perfectly and turning the game around in India’s favor. His knocks are a testament to his brilliance in high-pressure chases.
Kohli has scored 8 ODI hundreds against Australia, out of which 5 ODI hundreds have come on Aussie soil, including the successive centuries he scored in Canberra and Melbourne in January 2016.
It was during one of India’s tour of Australia that the rivalry between Virat Kohli and James Faulkner became notable.
It was during the 4th ODI in Canberra when Kohli and Faulkner had a heated exchange during India’s run chase.
Kohli famously responded to a sledge from Faulkner by saying, “Go bowl, don’t waste your time. You’re wasting your energy. No point. I’ve smashed you enough in my life. No point. Go bowl. ”
Kohli went on to score a magnificent 106 but India lost the match by 25 runs.
The encounters between Kohli and the Aussies in limited-overs cricket have often been competitive and intense, reflecting their competitive spirits on the field.
Kohli has consistently stepped up in bilateral series as well as in big tournaments.
Kohli has always thrived on the aggressive, competitive nature of Australia, often engaging in verbal duels and using it to fuel his performances. He brings intensity to the contest, not shying away from the verbal exchanges with Australian players.
Kohli’s performances against Australia have been iconic, with a mix of aggressive, match-winning knocks and steady, responsible innings across formats. His rivalry with Australia is one of the most celebrated in modern cricket.