When it comes to modern-day rivalries, few matchups have captivated cricket fans like Virat Kohli vs Australia. Known for his fearless attitude and consistency, Kohli has produced some of his finest ODI innings against one of the toughest bowling attacks in the world.
Let’s take a detailed look at his performance — from his first innings in 2009 to his most recent ODI in 2025.
Virat Kohli ODI Record vs Australia – Overall
| Matches | Innings | Runs | Highest Score | Average | Strike Rate | 100s | 50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 48 | 48 | 2,451 | 123 | 54.47 | 93.69 | 8 | 13 |
- Debut vs Australia: October 25, 2009 – at Vadodara
- Last ODI vs Australia: March 4, 2025 – at Dubai International Stadium
- Total Balls Faced: 2,616
- Runs per Innings: 51.06
These stats show why Kohli has been a constant threat to Australia — combining control, technique, and aggression across venues from Chennai to Melbourne.
Read Also:- Most Player of the Match Awards in Asia Cup
Virat Kohli’s Centuries vs Australia in ODIs
| Date | Venue | Runs | Balls | Strike Rate | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 Oct 2010 | Vizag | 118 | 121 | 97.52 | India won |
| 16 Oct 2013 | Jaipur | 100* | 52 | 192.31 | India won |
| 30 Oct 2013 | Nagpur | 115* | 66 | 174.24 | India won |
| 17 Jan 2016 | Melbourne | 117 | 117 | 100.00 | India lost |
| 20 Jan 2016 | Canberra | 106 | 92 | 115.22 | India won |
| 05 Mar 2019 | Nagpur | 116 | 120 | 96.67 | India won |
| 08 Mar 2019 | Ranchi | 123 | 95 | 129.47 | India lost |
| 15 Jan 2019 | Adelaide | 104 | 112 | 92.86 | India won |
Quick Analysis:
- Fastest century: 52 balls (Jaipur, 2013)
- Most runs in a single series vs Australia: 381 runs (2019 series)
- Best batting average against Australia: 83.33 in 2019 series
Kohli’s centuries often came in high-pressure situations — especially in run chases — showcasing his unmatched temperament and shot selection.
Year-Wise Runs Against Australia
| Year | Matches | Runs | Average | 100s | 50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 2 | 40 | 20.00 | 0 | 0 |
| 2010 | 1 | 118 | 118.00 | 1 | 0 |
| 2011 | 1 | 24 | 24.00 | 0 | 0 |
| 2012 | 4 | 82 | 20.50 | 0 | 0 |
| 2013 | 5 | 344 | 114.66 | 2 | 1 |
| 2015 | 3 | 13 | 4.33 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | 5 | 381 | 76.20 | 2 | 1 |
| 2017 | 5 | 180 | 36.00 | 0 | 2 |
| 2019 | 6 | 611 | 101.83 | 3 | 1 |
| 2020 | 3 | 183 | 61.00 | 0 | 2 |
| 2023 | 4 | 199 | 49.75 | 0 | 2 |
| 2025 | 1 | 84 | 84.00 | 0 | 1 |
Insight: Kohli’s peak years vs Australia came between 2013–2019, when he averaged over 90 and produced multiple match-winning knocks both in India and overseas.
Bowling Record vs Australia
Although Kohli is a part-time bowler, he has occasionally bowled a few overs in ODIs. Here’s a complete record of his bowling figures against Australia.
| Match Date | Venue | Overs | Wickets | Runs | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 Mar 2011 | Ahmedabad | 1 | 0 | 6 | 6.00 |
| 05 Feb 2012 | Melbourne | 1 | 0 | 4 | 4.00 |
| 13 Oct 2013 | Pune | 1 | 0 | 12 | 12.00 |
| 19 Oct 2013 | Mohali | 1 | 0 | 18 | 18.00 |
| 30 Oct 2013 | Nagpur | 2 | 0 | 15 | 7.50 |
| 26 Mar 2015 | Sydney | 1 | 0 | 7 | 7.00 |
| 12 Jan 2016 | Perth | 2 | 0 | 13 | 6.50 |
| 15 Jan 2016 | Brisbane | 1 | 0 | 7 | 7.00 |
Bowling Summary:
- Total overs: 10
- Wickets: 0
- Economy: 7.4
While he hasn’t claimed wickets, Kohli’s occasional overs have served as tactical fill-ins for India’s bowlers.
Expert Analysis
Virat Kohli’s ODI record against Australia highlights his class as a big-match player.
He consistently performs against top-quality attacks featuring bowlers like Starc, Cummins, and Hazlewood, maintaining a strike rate close to 94 even on bouncy pitches.
Strengths:
- Superb against pace and swing
- Relishes chasing targets
- Exceptional fitness and running between wickets
- Ability to switch gears based on match context
What Makes Kohli Special vs Australia:
He doesn’t just score runs — he builds innings. His hundreds often come while chasing, with controlled aggression and precise shot placement.
Read more: – India Highest Scores in Asia Cup (T20 & ODI)
Conclusion
From his debut knock in 2009 to his latest innings in 2025, Virat Kohli has scored 2,451 ODI runs against Australia, making him one of the most successful batters against them in history.
While his bowling contributions are minimal, his batting records continue to inspire a generation. As India and Australia meet again on October 19, 2025, in Perth, fans will be eager to see if Kohli can add another memorable chapter to this iconic rivalry.
