Watch: Virat Kohli butchers Lasith Malinga for 24 runs in an over

It was the commonwealth bank series match between India and Sri Lanka on 28th February 2012, where Virat Kohli of India made one of the biggest turnarounds in international history.

India wanted a bonus point in the match to keep their hopes alive in the tournament and the Indian skipper MS Dhoni was more than happy to bowl first. They needed to chase down whatever target they were set under 40 overs.

Tillakaratne Dilshan and Kumar Sangakkara scored centuries to post a huge total of 320 runs on the board and it seemed like India were going to crash out of the tournament.

They started off the chase well but lost both the openers Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag for 30 and 39 respectively. But the 115-run partnership between Kohli and Gautam Gambhir for the third wicket and an unbeaten 120-run partnership between Kohli and Suresh Raina for the fourth wicket saw India chase down the mammoth target under 40 overs.

Also Watch: Harbhajan Singh takes on a pro wrestler

With India needing 42 runs off the last 16 overs to win and in 6 overs to get the bonus point, Sri Lanka brought their death bowling specialist Lasith Malinga into the attack with Kohli at the crease.

Malinga started off with a middle-stump yorker, and Kohli flicked it to the deep to collect two runs and thereby completed his century off just 76 balls. Another yorker attempted, but went down the leg-side and guess what! It landed on the grass banks for a huge six. Third delivery was pitched up outside off and Kohli smashed it between cover and mid-off.

One of the world’s greatest death bowlers was looking clueless!!

The fourth ball was a perfect yorker, but Kohli’s bat came down at the right time to guide it through fine-leg. The 5th delivery was almost a replay of the previous ball and the last ball was a low full toss on the toes, and you know what would have happened – of course, a boundary through square-leg. By then, Kohli had 122 off 81 balls after the 24-run over.

India went on to win the match in 36.4 overs (at 8.75 rr) and Kohli remained unbeaten on 133 from 86 balls with 16 fours and 2 sixes.

Watch: Virat Kohli butchers Lasith Malinga for 24 runs in an over: