India`s incredible run-chases : Kohli ‘s superlative effort

Sunday, July 13, 2025

India`s incredible run-chases

Mahi’s whirlwind 183*

The rustic wicket keeper Mahendra Singh announced himself on the world stage with a whirlwind innings of 183 not out off just 145 balls overhauling the Sri Lankan score of 299 with 23 balls reaming. The onslaught from Mahi was probably the first of its kind from an Indian keeper and coming at No.3, he had a simple strategy to hit the ball though the line and over the top. He smashed the wily old fox Chaminda Vass for plenty then played out Muttiah Muralidharan’s over cleverly to guide India to a memorable victory against the islanders at Jaipur overshadowing a classy effort of 138 by Kumar Sangakkara.

Captain Mahi leads the way again

2008 Asia Cup at Karachi, with Dhoni leading the side India chased down the target of 309 set by Sri Lanka to enter the finals. It was a flawless batting performance by both the teams and incidentally with over 600 runs scored on a day, no player had a century to his name and a maximum of six players scored fifties. Gambhir and Sehwag were in terrific form as they gave the usual blazing start followed by a sensible knocks of 54 by Raina and 67 by Dhoni. Yuvraj Singh and Rohit Sharma provided the finishing touches as India won with 19 balls remaining.

The best of India-Pakistan encounter

This was a match of epic proportions and many records tumbled in a single day. The unknown commodity, Hrishikesh Kanitkar became a household name after his last ball four which sealed the Silver Jubilee Independence Cup for India. Saeed Anwar scored a magnificent 140 and along with Ijaz Ahmed (117) amassed 230 runs for the third wicket, then a record. The target to be chased down by India, 315 was also the highest ODI score to be chased down at that time. Saurav Ganguly led the run chase of 316 with a classy 124 off 138 balls ably supported by Robin Singh (82) after Sachin had played a breezy knock of 41 off just 26 balls first up.

Delhi lads do it for India

Gautam Gambhir’s (150) terrific form and Virat Kohli’s (107) maiden ton ensured that India finished the job scoring 317 chasing 315 after losing Sachin and Sehwag in the first four overs and without the presence of big guns like Dhoni and Yuvraj.

The Robin Uthappa show

Led by a magnificent 94 from Sachin Tendulkar and an icy-cool unbeaten 47 from Robin Uthappa, India hunted down the target of 317 with two balls to spare. Robin Uthappa, playing his first match of the series got the required 10 runs off the last over.

Super Kohli’s Hobart chase

Virat Kohli tore apart Sri Lankan bowling as he struck a superb century leading India to an incredible run chase at Hobart. Chasing a mammoth target of 321 runs in 40 overs to keep their chances alive of making it to the finals of the CB series, India overhauled Sri Lankan total with more than 10 overs to spare and with seven wickets in hand.

Yusuf Pathan, the destroyer

Brilliant all-round effort from Yusuf Pathan first with the ball (3 for 49) and then with bat (123*), helped India beat New Zealand by five wickets in Bangalore. Yusuf Pathan dominated New Zealand bowling and was at his attacking best as he brought up his first ODI century with a superb six. He added 133 unbeaten runs for the 6th wicket with Saurabh Tiwary to help the India score a comprehensive victory over the Kiwis and take 4-0 lead in the five match series. Tiwary hit the winning runs in the 49th over as he hit a brilliant six over long-on off Nathan McCullum and remained unbeaten on 37 off 39 balls with three fours and a six. Yusuf Pathan remained unbeaten on 123 off 96 deliveries with seven hits to the fence and seven over it. Pathan was named Man of the Match for his all-round effort with the ball (3 for 49) and then with the bat (123*).

Gritty Dravid takes India home

India pulled level in the series when they reached 325 with 14 balls to spare -the then third-highest run-chase in a one-day international. Earlier, 140 from Gayle, with five sixes in 127 balls, and an enterprising 99 not out from Sarwan - still chasing his maiden international hundred - seemed to have made West Indies unchallengeable. But Dravid`s nerves of steel guided India to the finish as Bangar, finally lived up to his name with a breathtaking 57 off 41 balls.

The Natwest Final

Four senior batsmen were all back in the pavilion, and only Yuvraj Singh, aged 20, and Mohammad Kaif, 21, stood between England`s bowlers and the tail. But Yuvraj played some punishing strokes off the back foot, Kaif was all wrists through mid-wicket, and the pair added 121 in less than 18 overs. When Yuvraj top-edged a sweep to short fine leg, Harbhajan helped add a quick 47 with Kaif to take India to the brink, but Flintoff tilted the balance once more with two wickets in the 48th over. Even so, India needed just 11 runs off 12 balls. Kaif thick-edged Gough to the third-man boundary to reduce the target to two off six, and Zaheer Khan stole the winning runs with three balls remaining courtesy of an overthrow. As England`s players wandered off in a daze, the Indians celebrated in style.

Kohli ‘s superlative effort

Chasing a mammoth target of 330 to stay alive in the Asia Cup tournament, Virat Kohli’s magnificent 183 off 148 ably supported by Rohit Sharma’s 68 (83b) and Sachin Tendulkar’s 52 (48b) propelled India to an improbable 6-wicket victory over arch rivals Pakistan after they had posted 329 courtesy a double century partnership between Mohammed Hafeez 105 (113b) and Nasir Jamshed 112 (104b) and a quick fire 52 off 34 balls from Younis Khan later in the innings.