In what can only be described as a perfect tribute to Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Virat Kohli delivered one of the most memorable performances of his career at Dhoni's hometown of Ranchi back in 2014. The Indian captain produced a masterclass that eerily resembled the finishing style of Ranchi's favorite son, guiding India to victory with an unbeaten century that culminated in a dramatic six.
The Stage Was Set in Dhoni's Backyard
The year was 2014, and Team India arrived in Ranchi leading the five-match ODI series against Sri Lanka 4-0. With Dhoni absent from the lineup, all eyes were on captain Virat Kohli as he led the team into what would become one of his most iconic innings. Sri Lanka, batting first, posted a competitive 286 runs, largely thanks to their captain Angelo Mathews' brilliant unbeaten 139.
India's chase began disastrously, collapsing to 14/2 early on. The situation looked precarious, with dark clouds gathering over India's hopes of completing a clean sweep in the series. In a strategic move, Kohli allowed Ambati Rayudu to bat at number 3 instead of promoting himself, eventually walking in at number 4 when the team needed stability and leadership.
Kohli Channels His Inner Dhoni
What followed was a batting masterclass that would be remembered for years to come. As wickets fell regularly around him, with other batsmen getting starts but failing to convert them, Kohli stood firm like a rock. He displayed remarkable composure and calculated aggression, hitting 12 fours and 3 sixes during his magnificent innings.
The climax of the match was pure drama. With victory in sight, Kohli unleashed two massive sixes, but saved his best for last. In a moment that gave every cricket fan déjà vu, Kohli finished the game with a towering six in the 49th over, reminding everyone of Dhoni's trademark finishing style. The only thing missing was the timing - had it been the 50th over, it would have been a perfect Dhoni replica.
Legacy and Looking Ahead
This spectacular innings marked Kohli's 21st ODI century, with an incredible 13 of those centuries resulting in successful chases for India. The series also earned Kohli his fourth Player of the Series award in ODIs, further cementing his reputation as one of the greatest limited-overs batsmen of all time.
As Ranchi prepares to host Kohli again this weekend when India takes on South Africa in the first ODI, memories of that magical 2014 performance come flooding back. With India recently suffering a 2-0 Test series defeat against South Africa, the team will be hoping for similar Kohli magic to spark a turnaround in the ODI series.
Kohli's current ODI statistics are nothing short of legendary - 14,255 runs in 305 ODIs with a world-record 51 centuries and 75 half-centuries. Yet, that innings in Ranchi remains special, not just for the numbers, but for the style and context - a fitting tribute to Dhoni in his own backyard, executed with the precision and flair that has become Kohli's trademark.
