Virat Kohli, the heart and soul of Indian cricket for over a decade, turns 36 today — a milestone that celebrates not just his age but an extraordinary legacy built on passion, grit, and unmatched consistency. Though he has stepped away from T20Is and Test cricket, Kohli continues to be the pillar of India’s ODI setup, with fans eagerly hoping to see him in action at the 2027 World Cup.

On this special day, let’s revisit five innings that defined his journey from a promising youngster to one of the modern greats.

133 vs Sri Lanka, CB Tri-Series (2012, Hobart)

The innings that announced Kohli’s arrival as India’s ultimate chase-master came during the CB Tri-Series in 2012. Facing a daunting target of 321 in just 40 overs for a bonus-point win, India’s hopes looked bleak. But Kohli, with a blend of composure and aggression, smashed 133* off 86 balls, including 16 fours and 2 sixes. Partnering with Gautam Gambhir and Suresh Raina, he steered India home in 36.4 overs — a chase that redefined India’s fearless batting spirit in ODIs.

183 vs Pakistan, Asia Cup (2012, Dhaka)

Few knocks evoke the same nostalgia as Kohli’s majestic 183 against arch-rivals Pakistan in the 2012 Asia Cup. Chasing 330, Kohli partnered with Sachin Tendulkar and Rohit Sharma to script a memorable seven-wicket win. His authoritative stroke play and precision under pressure earned him the moniker “Chase Master,” while this innings remains his highest ODI score to date.