Virat Kohli vs Australia records: The stats behind the King’s Aussie dominance

Virat Kohli and Australia - a cricketing love affair, mostly one-sided, that has benefitted India over the years. The former Indian captain, who boasts the most centuries in ODI cricket, has an exemplary record against Australia. However, the Aussie, most certainly, have dreaded the sight of Kohli batting on the pitch against them.

Kohli’s 82 against Australia at Mohali was voted the ‘Greatest Moment’ of the 2016 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. But it is just one of the numerous moments from a much-cherished highlight reel of ‘King Kohli’ in this fixture. Kohli’s bat has tormented Australian sides in the last decade, leaving them jaw-dropped with his exploits.

Many landmarks for Kohli in his international career have come against Australia. His maiden Test century at Adelaide in 2012, back-to-back hundreds at the same venue on his Test captaincy debut and an unbeaten 52-ball 100 at Jaipur to help India chase 362 have all been memorable moments for Kohli against the team from Down Under.

Virat Kohli stats vs Australia

Let us dive deep into the Virat Kohli vs Australia records to break down his stunning performances in this fixture.

Virat Kohli vs Australia in Tests

Virat Kohli smashed his maiden Test ton at Adelaide in January 2012. Batting at No. 6, Kohli was India’s lone warrior in setting after a mammoth total, scoring 116 runs off 213 balls.

Meanwhile, on his Test captaincy debut, Kohli continued his fantastic Adelaide form. The Delhi batter scored 115 and 141 runs in the first and second innings, respectively, taking the Indian team tantalisingly close to a victory.

The King was also incharge of Team India when they won the Border-Gavaskar Trophy for the first time in Australia. Under Kohli’s leadership, India won the Tests in Adelaide and Melbourne to win the 2018-19 series by a 2-1 margin.

So far, Virat Kohli has scored eight Test centuries against the Australian cricket team.

Virat Kohli vs Australia in ODIs

Similar to his run-scoring exploits in Tests, Virat Kohli has been prolific against the Aussies in One-Day Internationals too. 

Kohli’s first ODI ton in this fixture was in October 2010 at Visakhapatnam, when his 121-ball 118 helped the Indian cricket team chase down a target of 290. Overall, Kohli has registered eight centuries and 14 fifties against Australia in ODIs.

In fact, his eight tons are the fifth-most ODI hundreds against one team. The masterful 123 off 95 at Ranchi is another one of his best knocks in the format against the Aussies. Kohli averages 53.79, while scoring at a rate of 94 in this head-to-head after 49 matches.

Virat Kohli vs Australia in T20Is

When it comes to T20 International cricket against Australia, Kohli’s numbers continue to showcase his excellence against the illustrious opponents. 

A 50-plus average and a strike-rate in excess of 140 - Kohli’s stats in this format emphasises his dominance over the Australian side. As mentioned above, his 82-run knock in Mohali in 2016 earned many plaudits, further adding to his legacy as an all-format batter.

Although he is yet to score a century against Australia in this format, Kohli has smashed eight fifties, with a top score of 90*, which he scored at Adelaide in January 2016. A tally of 794 runs makes the Aussies his favourite opponents in this format.

Photo credit: Alamy