Virat Kohli and his epic comebacks (X.com)

Virat Kohli, the run machine of the Indian cricket team, has experienced many ups and downs in his illustrious career.

In the early stages of his career, Virat Kohli struggled to adapt to overseas conditions, making it difficult for him to secure a place in the red-ball team. Moreover, despite being recognised as the best batsman of the present day, Kohli endured a prolonged dry spell in the post-Covid era.

Virat Kohli’s last ICC tournament in the T20 format was not without its set of failures. However, the one thing that all these phases had in common was Kohli’s mental strength, which enabled him to make comebacks and inspire generations.

With that in mind, here are three epic comebacks by Virat Kohli in international cricket.

3rd Test series 2014 against Australia

Virat Kohli vs AUS (X.com)

The 2014 Test series against Australia was a turning point in Virat Kohli’s career as he was hungry to prove himself after a disastrous 2011-12 season. Kohli scored 300 runs in 8 innings at an average of 37.50, including one nil. Hence, the 2014 series was an important series for Virat Kohli to prove his skills as a Test batter in foreign conditions.

In the absence of MS Dhoni, Kohli was named captain for the first Test in Adelaide and he responded with a stunning century. However, the second innings knock of 141 while chasing a massive target of 364 truly heralded Kohli’s arrival in Test cricket. The fire ignited in Adelaide led to a terrific comeback series in which Kohli finished with 692 runs in 8 innings at an average of 85.50.

2. The 71st century after three years of drought

Virat Kohli at the Asia Cup 2023 (X.com)

Virat Kohli, once the favourite to beat Sachin Tendulkar’s international record of 100 centuries, went through a difficult period between 2020 and 2022, failing to score a century in any format. It was a significant dry spell for a batsman of his calibre, leading to widespread speculation about his future. However, Kohli silenced his critics in style during the 2022 Asia Cup.

In a match against Afghanistan, Kohli ended his century drought with a brilliant 122* off 61 balls, which was his 71st international century and his first in T20Is. This inning not only ended the three-year wait but also gave the team a big boost ahead of the T20 World Cup. This inning marked the rebirth of Virat Kohli in international cricket.

1. The big comeback in the final of the 2024 T20 World Cup

Virat Kohli in the 2024 T20 World Cup final (X.com)

The final of the 2024 T20 World Cup will be remembered as one of the greatest comebacks in the history of the sport, and Virat Kohli was right in the middle of it. Although the tournament was Kohli’s last in the T20 format, he struggled to score as an opener. After a series of disastrous failures, Kohli stood up when India needed it most, in the final against South Africa.

India batted first and were at 34/3 before Kohli scored 76 from 59 deliveries to guide India to a fighting total of 176. His partnerships with Axar Patel and Shivam Dube were crucial. In the end, India won the World Cup from a precarious phase and Kohli bid farewell to the T20 format with a trophy in hand.