Virat Kohli’s sensational unbeaten 82 came in India’s four-wicket win over arch-rivals Pakistan in their T20Is. World The cup opener was hailed as a one-of-a-kind innings by the cricket fraternity-led PM Modi on Sunday.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to social media to applaud the performance of India and Virat Kohli against Pakistan.
“The India The team won well fought! Congratulations on today’s great performance. a special mention Virat Kohli For a brilliant innings in which he displayed remarkable tenacity. Best wishes for the Games ahead,” tweeted PM Modi.
India’s team won a great victory! Congratulations on today’s great performance. a special mention @imVkohli For a brilliant innings in which he displayed remarkable tenacity. Best wishes for the future games.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) 23 October 2022
In front of a crowd of over 90,000 in Melbourne Cricket Ground, Kohli redeemed himself with an unbeaten 82 off 53 balls as India snatched victory from the jaws of defeat in one of their most memorable wins against Pakistan.
“Virat Kohli, undoubtedly it was the best innings of your life. It was a pleasure to watch you play, a six off the backfoot at long on against Rauf in the 19th over! Keep it up,” Tendulkar tweeted.
“A sports thriller that sets up India’s T20WC campaign beautifully! Significant contribution by many individuals, but special mention of Hardik’s partnership with Virat which was very important for Team India. ,
Chasing 160, India were 45 for 4 at the halfway point, but Kohli and Hardik Pandya (40) put on a 113-run stand for the fifth wicket to keep India on the hunt. Kohli took it brilliantly and cracked some breathtaking shots, especially a backfoot straight drive over the boundary against his most effective bowler, Haris Rauf, to set the tone.
Former BCCI President Sourav Ganguly also praised Kohli while talking to reporters at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
“He’s a great player. It’s okay he didn’t score a century, but he played a brilliant innings,” said the former India captain.
“What the atmosphere was like at the MCG, it was a great win. (Asia Cup defeat) was a thing of the past, now it is a new day,” Ganguly said.
Current BCCI secretary Jay Shah said: “Chase master Kohli is back and what a match to showcase his skills. What a game have we seen today! Congratulations Team India.”
Former England captain Michael Vaughan knocked in just one word ‘Virat’, which was followed by several fire symbols.
Former Australia opener Mark Waugh said: “I don’t think I can ever remember a game of T20 cricket better than what we saw at the MCG. Amazing from both the teams. Virat’s dig is one of a kind.”
Former India opener Wasim Jaffer said: “Take a bow Virat Kohli. A shift for the ages. ,
India’s 2011 World Cup winning hero Yuvraj Singh also reminisced about the crucial winning shot played by Ravichandran Ashwin.
India needed two runs off the last ball when the veteran off-spinner came on strike after a fall from Dinesh Karthik.
With the fielders closing in on him, Ashwin showed hardly any pressure and calmly left the wide delivery at his feet before bowling the next ball to the ground to celebrate the win.
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“Keeped your cool Ashwin, left that ball for wide!!! What an incredible game!!’ #indiavspak is always an emotion more than a game!!! Greatness brought recognition to Kohli,” wrote Yuvraj.
Other prominent athletes from other sports also lauded Kohli for his brilliant innings.
“They call him King Kohli for a reason. What a win, Team India!” Tokyo Olympic javelin throw gold medalist Neeraj Chopra tweeted.
The talismanic India football captain Sunil Chhetri lauded Kohli for the Diwali gift.
“For the entire country, Bhai Kohli has single-handedly burst firecrackers (for the entire nation, Kohli has single-handedly burst firecrackers). Happy Diwali, India,” wrote Chhetri.
(with inputs from agencies)
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