India ace batsman Virat Kohli Superb innings of 82 not out in 53 balls India Four-wicket win against Pakistan in T20 World Cup opener at the MCG on Sunday (23 October).
Kohli was at the zenith of excellence as he snatched the match from Pakistan and took charge of the innings after India’s top-order returned cheaply.
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India were in a very difficult position, needing 28 for 8 but Kohli and Hardik Pandya were on their nerves. He brought the target of 16 runs for 6 wickets. Though Pandya went for the very first ball of the last over, Kohli revealed how Pandya was confident of winning the game.
After winning the Player of the Match, Kohli said, “It’s a surreal atmosphere, I have no words, don’t know how it happened. I’m really lost for words. Hardik believed That if we stay till the end we can do that. When Shaheen bowled from the pavilion end, that’s when we decided to take him down. Haris is their main bowler, and I hit those two sixes. 28 to 8, It came from 16 to 6. I tried to stick to my instincts. The first hand was behind the slower ball (one over long-on). Standing here I feel like it had to happen.”
Further, Kohli recalled his innings in Mohali but admitted that today (October 23) against Pakistan has now become his best.
“My best innings till date was against Mohali Australia. Today I will count it more. Hardik kept pushing me. The crowd has been phenomenal. You guys (fans) keep supporting me and I am grateful for your support.”
India won the match by four wickets with the support of Kohli but another highlight of the match was the last over.
In the last over, Pakistan captain Babar Azam took a simple catch and sent Pandya back for 40 for 37. India then needed 16 runs off 5 balls and finisher Dinesh Karthik came to the ground.
Read also: ‘It was undoubtedly the best innings of your life’: Sachin Tendulkar On Virat Kohli’s knock against Pakistan
The target looked difficult but the expectations were high as Kohli was still on the pitch. 15 off 4 needed, Kohli scored two runs and then hit a super six which eventually turned into a no-ball. The last over became exciting as the next ball was wide and Kohli-Karthik ran for three runs.
On the next ball, Karthik was stumped and lost his wicket. After this Ravichandran Ashwin walked on the pitch. India needed two runs off a ball. Ashwin pulls it back and Nawaz bowls a wide. India were then just one run away from winning the match. Ashwin then went for a run and cheered the entire Indian fans as the Men in Blue registered an impressive win.
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