Virat Kohli picks Champions Trophy 2013 final 43 as his top ODI innings
Synopsis
Virat Kohli turning 38 is one thing — but ranking a 43-run knock above his 183, his 133*, and his 2015 World Cup century against Pakistan is the real story. It is a window into how Kohli defines greatness: not by runs scored, but by runs that mattered most when India needed them. The 2013 Champions Trophy final at Edgbaston, rain-hit and nerve-shredding, remains the moment he calls his best.
Key Takeaways
Virat Kohli turned 38 on 5 November 2026 , with Star Sports releasing a special birthday video.
Kohli named his 43 off 34 balls against England in the Champions Trophy 2013 final at Edgbaston as his best ODI innings.
India were in trouble at 66/5 during that rain-curtailed 20-overs-per-side game; Kohli's knock helped them post 129/7 .
India won the 2013 Champions Trophy by five runs , with Ravindra Jadeja's 33 also key to the total.
Kohli considered his 183 vs Pakistan (2012) , 133* vs Sri Lanka (2012) , 107 vs Pakistan (2015 World Cup) , and 85 vs Australia (2023 World Cup) before making his final choice.
Indian batting icon Virat Kohli has named his clutch 43 off 34 balls against England in the ICC Champions Trophy 2013 final as his greatest ODI innings — a revelation that came as the cricketing world celebrated his 38th birthday on 5 November 2026. The disclosure was made in a video shared by Star Sports, in which Kohli weighed up several landmark knocks across a career spanning more than a decade of ODI dominance.
The Innings That Stood Above All
The knock in question came in a rain-curtailed, 20-overs-per-side contest at Edgbaston, Birmingham, played in overcast, difficult batting conditions. India were struggling at 19/1 when Kohli walked to the crease, and the situation deteriorated further to 66/5 at one stage. Kohli steadied the innings, forging a 41-run partnership with Shikhar Dhawan, who contributed 31, before anchoring the lower order. He was dismissed only in the 19th over, leaving Ravindra Jadeja's unbeaten 33 to help India post 129/7. England were eventually bowled out for 124, handing India the title by five runs.
How Kohli Arrived at His Choice
The Star Sports video placed several of Kohli's most celebrated knocks before him as options. These included his famous 183 against Pakistan in the 2012 Asia Cup, his unbeaten 133 against Sri Lanka in the 2012 Commonwealth Bank Series — made against a prime Lasith Malinga — and a pressure-cooker 85 against Australia in the 2023 ODI World Cup league stage. Kohli first shortlisted his 35 in the 2011 World Cup final against Sri Lanka over the 2012 Commonwealth Bank effort, before narrowing his choice further. He gave serious consideration to his 107 against Pakistan in the 2015 ODI World Cup, but ultimately settled on the 2013 Champions Trophy final knock as his personal summit.
Why This Choice Resonates
The selection is notable precisely because the innings is not Kohli's biggest in terms of runs. What it represents, cricket analysts argue, is the essence of the 'chase master' tag — delivering under maximum pressure, in bowler-friendly conditions, in a knockout final. Notably, Kohli is currently playing only ODI cricket for India, making the format and its milestones particularly significant to him at this stage of his career. The 2013 Champions Trophy remains the last major ICC trophy India won before the 2024 T20 World Cup, adding historical weight to the memory.
Kohli at 38: Still the Heartbeat of Indian ODI Cricket
Virat Kohli turned 38 on Thursday, 5 November 2026, and by his own reckoning continues to be deeply invested in the ODI format. Having stepped back from Test cricket, the former India captain's focus on ODIs has renewed debate about his longevity and his role in India's future ICC campaigns. His ability to reflect on a 43-run knock — ahead of several centuries — as his finest hour speaks to the value he places on situational impact over statistical magnitude. As Indian cricket looks toward future Champions Trophy and World Cup cycles, Kohli's experience and match-reading remain as relevant as ever.
Point of View
With the innings collapsing around you, on a bowler-friendly surface in overcast England — that is a different currency from a 183 in Dhaka or even a World Cup century. That he still plays only ODIs makes this ranking feel like a mission statement, not mere nostalgia. Indian cricket should read it as such: Kohli is not winding down, he is recalibrating around the moments that define tournaments.
NationPress
5 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What innings did Virat Kohli pick as his top ODI knock?
Virat Kohli picked his 43 off 34 balls against England in the ICC Champions Trophy 2013 final at Edgbaston as his best ODI innings. The knock came in a rain-shortened 20-overs-per-side match and helped India post 129/7, which they defended by five runs to win the title.
Why did Kohli rate the 43-run knock above bigger innings like his 183 against Pakistan?
Kohli gave considerable thought to several larger innings — including 183 against Pakistan in the 2012 Asia Cup and 107 against Pakistan in the 2015 World Cup — before choosing the 43 for its situational importance. India were reeling at 66/5 in a knockout final in difficult conditions, making the innings more impactful despite the modest run total.
When did Virat Kohli turn 38 and how was his birthday marked?
Virat Kohli turned 38 on Thursday, 5 November 2026. Star Sports marked the occasion by releasing a video in which Kohli reviewed and ranked several of his most celebrated ODI knocks.
Who else contributed to India's winning total in the 2013 Champions Trophy final?
Alongside Kohli's 43, Shikhar Dhawan scored 31 and Ravindra Jadeja contributed an unbeaten 33 to help India reach 129/7 in 20 overs. England were bowled out for 124, giving India a five-run victory.
Which formats is Virat Kohli currently playing for India?
As of November 2026, Virat Kohli is playing only ODI cricket for India, having stepped back from other formats. This makes his continued dominance in the 50-over game central to India's ICC tournament ambitions.
