Virat Kohli's 2012 CB Series in Australia announced him to the world as cricket's next great batsman — scoring 230 runs across three successive run-chases, including 133* to chase 316, 75 to chase 270, and 66 to chase 321 — an unprecedented sequence of successful chases.
133 not out to chase 316 (Hobart) — his third ODI century, made with calculated aggression. 75 to chase 270 (Brisbane) — a more measured innings, steering India home with wickets to spare. 66 to chase 321 (Adelaide) — a difficult pitch, playing reverse swing, Kohli composing India's chase before falling near the end.
India qualified and won the CB Series. Kohli was named Player of the Tournament. More importantly, the cricketing world recognised that here was the next great ODI run-chaser — a batsman who, like Sachin, could carry an Indian chase from the top of the order.
When Tendulkar retired eighteen months later, the mantle passed to someone who had already earned it.
133* to chase 316 at Hobart — the first of the three chases
Three consecutive successful Indian chases led by Kohli
Player of Tournament — global recognition of what was emerging
February 2012
CB Tri-Series begins — India vs Australia and Sri Lanka
February 26, 2012
Kohli 133* to chase 316 at Hobart — first of three chases
March 2, 2012
India qualify from tri-series — Kohli's three chases the key
Kohli went on to become the greatest ODI run-chaser of all time — his record in second-innings run-chases is the best in the history of the format. The 2012 Australia series was the start of a journey that led to 50 ODI centuries and over 13,000 ODI runs.
The CB Series 2012 was Kohli's announcement. Three consecutive chase-winning innings against Australia, on Australian conditions, removed any doubt about whether he had the mental and technical equipment to succeed Tendulkar.
The CB Series 2012 is the moment players and analysts point to when discussing when Kohli transcended 'talented young batsman' and became 'generational genius.' His Australia series remains the benchmark for batting under pressure in ODI cricket.
Australia vs West Indies
1960-12-14
The first tied Test in 86 years of cricket history — Australia and West Indies finished level on 737 runs each after five days of breathless cricket in Brisbane, producing one of the most dramatic finishes the game has ever seen.
India vs Australia
1986-09-22
Twenty-six years after Brisbane, cricket produced only its second tied Test — Dean Jones's heroic 210 through crippling heat and Dean Jones's fever, Ravi Shastri's unbeaten 48 and India needing 2 off the last over, only for Maninder Singh to be out lbw off the final ball.
Australia vs South Africa
1999-06-17
Lance Klusener smashed Australia to the brink of elimination, then ran out Allan Donald off the penultimate ball to tie the match — but Australia advanced to the final on superior run rate, ending South Africa's greatest World Cup campaign in devastating fashion.