On This Day — Virat Kohli Makes His T20 Debut Against Zimbabwe

Over time, Kohli built a remarkable T20 career, known for his calm under pressure and match-winning chases and his journey came full circle when he helped India win the T20 World Cup in 2024, cementing his legacy as a white-ball great. Here’s a look back at his debut match.

India vs Zimbabwe: 12th June 2010

Kicking off his T20I career with big dreams, Virat Kohli debuted for India against Zimbabwe on June 12, 2010, at Harare Sports Club. At just 21, he was already a hot prospect, having led India to the 2008 U-19 World Cup win and sparkled in ODIs. This first T20I of a two-match series was a chance for a young Indian side, captained by Suresh Raina, to recover from a rough ODI tour. Zimbabwe, boosted by recent home victories, weren’t easy opponents. India chose to bowl first after winning the toss, setting up a low-scoring game where Kohli’s steady 26 not out off 21 balls, paired with Yusuf Pathan’s blazing 37 not out, sealed a six-wicket win with 30 balls left, chasing 112. Kohli’s calm knock was a sneak peek of the superstar he’d become.

Zimbabwe walked out to bat under clear Harare skies, greeted by an eager Indian bowling attack. Raina’s call to field first leaned on spin to tame the pitch, and it paid off big time. Vinay Kumar fired the first shot, nabbing Hamilton Masakadza for 1 in the opening over. Masakadza’s bold drive edged straight to Raina at slip, leaving Zimbabwe at 2/1. Brendan Taylor fought back with gusto, smashing two fours and a six for a quick 15 off 9 balls. But Vinay’s speed proved too much, trapping him lbw in the third over, putting Zimbabwe at 30/2. Chamu Chibhabha and Tatenda Taibu stepped in to rebuild, but the early strikes had them on edge.

Chibhabha dug in, playing a gutsy 40 off 30 balls with five fours and a six. His smooth drives and a lofted shot over midwicket kept the runs coming, but India’s spinners soon took charge. Ravichandran Ashwin, making his debut, bowled smartly, getting Taibu for 4 in the sixth over, caught by Rohit Sharma at cover. At 46/3, Zimbabwe were in trouble. Chibhabha and Craig Ervine added 27 runs, reaching 73/4 by the 10th over, but Piyush Chawla tricked Chibhabha, pinning him lbw to break the stand.

The middle order wobbled fast. Zimbabwe’s skipper, Elton Chigumbura, scratched out 3 before lobbing a catch to Murali Vijay off Pragyan Ojha’s left-arm spin in the 13th over. Ojha struck again, dismissing Greg Lamb lbw for a duck, leaving Zimbabwe at 81/6. Ervine battled on, grinding out 30 off 42 balls with two fours, but India’s bowlers never let up. Ojha’s tight 4 overs for 11 runs, with two wickets, choked the scoring, while Ashwin and Chawla’s spin kept the batters guessing.

Zimbabwe barely crossed 100 in the 18th over when Ashok Dinda came back to mop up. Ervine was bowled for 30, and Ray Price fell for 2, making it 105/8. Vinay grabbed his third wicket, bowling Prosper Utseya for 6, as Zimbabwe stumbled to 107/9. Chris Mpofu (3 not out) and Ed Rainsford (1 not out) nudged the score to 111/9 in 20 overs — a small total on a decent pitch. Vinay led with 3/24, and Ojha’s 2/11 was a standout. The spinners — Ojha, Ashwin, and Chawla — gave away just 47 runs for 4 wickets in 12 overs, exposing Zimbabwe’s weak batting. Extras (6) and sloppy shots didn’t help, leaving India with an easy chase.

India’s chase of 112 started shakily with Murali Vijay and Naman Ojha opening, but Virat Kohli’s cool head steered them home. Vijay cracked a four off Chris Mpofu but fell for 5 in the first over, caught by Utseya at mid-on. Ojha, a debutant keeper, couldn’t handle Mpofu’s bounce, edging to Taibu for 2, leaving India at 12/2 after three overs. Raina, at No. 3, brought some fire, blasting 28 off 17 balls with three fours and a six off Ed Rainsford. His bold shots pushed India to 47/3, but Ray Price’s clever spin got him caught by Chigumbura at long-on in the eighth over.

Kohli strode in at No. 5, with 65 runs needed off 76 balls. The 21-year-old looked right at home, clipping a gorgeous cover drive for four off Price to get going. Rohit Sharma, his partner, played it safe, scoring 10 off 15 balls before Price stumped him, leaving India at 48/4 in the eighth over. Yusuf Pathan joined Kohli, and their contrasting styles clicked perfectly, powering India to victory.

Kohli’s 26 not out off 21 balls was a lesson in smart batting. He flicked singles to keep the scoreboard moving, found gaps with ease, and hit three fours and a six. His cover drive off Price was a beauty, and a pulled six off Greg Lamb in the 14th over showed his confidence. Kohli’s quick feet against spin kept the chase under control. Pathan, on the other hand, smashed 37 not out off 24 balls, with two fours and three sixes, including a huge one off Mpofu. Their unbeaten 64-run stand in 39 balls, at 9.84 runs per over, wrapped things up smoothly.

India reached 50 in the ninth over and 100 in the 14th, with Kohli and Pathan cruising. Kohli added 22 in the partnership, setting a solid base, while Pathan’s 29 brought the spark. The chase ended in 15 overs at 7.46 runs per over, taking just 63 minutes. Zimbabwe’s bowlers, with Mpofu (2/31) and Price (2/24), gave it their all but couldn’t defend 111. Extras (4) and a dropped catch off Kohli early on hurt them. Kohli’s knock won hearts for its poise, hinting at his future stardom. Though Pathan’s 37 not out earned Player of the Match, Kohli’s 26 was just as vital, showing his chase-finishing skills. His strike rate of 123.80 mixed caution with flair, perfect for the job.

Virat Kohli’s T20 Career and Achievements

Hailed as one of T20’s all-time greats, Virat Kohli’s T20I career from 2010 to 2024 is a story of sheer brilliance. Kicking off his journey at 21 against Zimbabwe, Kohli played 125 matches, amassing 4,188 runs in 117 innings at an average of 48.69 and a strike rate of 137.04. With one century (122*), 38 fifties, 369 fours, and 124 sixes, he blended elegance with power, suffering just seven ducks, proving his rock-solid consistency as India’s batting backbone.

Kohli’s T20 World Cup exploits are legendary, topping the run charts with 1,292 runs in 35 matches, averaging 58.72 at a strike rate of 128.81. His 15 fifties, best of 89, and 111 fours and 35 sixes show his flair for pressure moments. He bagged Player of the Tournament awards in 2014 and 2016, and in 2024, his Player of the Match performance helped India win the World Cup, sealing his legacy. His 82 against Pakistan in 2022 earned him the “Chase Master” title for his cool-headed chases. More than stats, Kohli reshaped T20 batting with his classic style and adaptability.

Leading India to the 2021 T20 World Cup and captaining Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL, his work ethic and leadership inspired a generation. His fitness and fierce attitude raised the bar, making him a global icon. Retiring from T20Is in 2024 after lifting the World Cup, Kohli left an unmatched legacy and his records — most T20 World Cup runs and dual Player of the Tournament honours — ensure his name lives on.