‘Kohli used experience to engineer improbable win’MELBOURNE:
Rohit Sharma simply shook his head and smiled when asked to put
Virat Kohli‘s incredible knock in perspective. “He used his experience today more than anything else, staying calm under pressure. We know how good he is when there is a score in front of him. He’s one of the best chasers in the world,” said Rohit.
Asked if this was the best he had seen in a T20 game, Rohit nodded. “His best definitely for sure, but I think from the situation we were in, to come out with a victory, I think it has to be one of India’s best knocks. Up until the 13th over we were so behind the game, and the required rate was just climbing up and up.
“To come out and chase that score was an extremely brilliant effort from Virat and obviously Hardik Pandya played a role there as well. These guys have played so many games under pressure, they know exactly how to handle that situation. Their partnership was a game-changing moment.”
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‘Miracle in Melbourne’: Virat Kohli enthralls fans in a cliffhanger
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<p>Virat Kohli turned back the clock, producing a chasing masterclass as India beat Pakistan in a cliffhanger.</p>
<p>Kohli entertained the 90,000-plus fans at the iconic MCG, smacking 82* in India’s 4-wicket win.</p>
<p>Chasing a tricky 160, India crossed the finish line on the final ball of the epic battle.</p>
<p>India were 31/4 at one stage but Kohli and Hardik helped India steady the chase.</p>
<p>Virat Kohli and Hardik Pandya (40) shared 113-run stand for the 5th wicket.</p>
<p>Kohli ended penultimate over from Haris Rauf with 2 sixes bringing equation to 16 off last 6 balls.</p>
<p>Kohli’s 2 sixes off Rauf brought down equation to 16 off final over, giving India a real chance in chase.</p>
<p>Kohli hit a six in the final over as well while Ashwin hit the winning run off the final ball.</p>
<p>The epic win was followed by skipper Rohit lifting Kohli in celebration, photos of which took internet by storm.</p>
Importantly, Rohit refused to accept that Virat had been in some indifferent form over the past few years. “I honestly don’t think he was struggling or anything. He was batting as good as he was but with him, the expectation is so high that even if he gets a good 30 or 40, people tend to talk about it (the lack of runs).
“From the team management’s perspective, I thought he was in good space right from the Asia Cup, where he got a month off. He was fresh. . . We know the quality he has. He has done so well in these types of conditions in all forms.”
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T20 World Cup: Virat Kohli shines in India’s win over Pakistan
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<p>Virat Kohli struck an imperious half-century as India secured a four-wicket win on the final ball against arch-rivals Pakistan at the T20 World Cup.</p>
<p>Pakistan’s spinner Mohammad Nawaz gifted India two wides and a no-ball in the final over before Ashwin coolly blasted the winning run over mid-off as India chased down 160 for victory.</p>
<p>Man-of-the-match Kohli was magnificent, driving India to the brink of victory with 82 not out after digging the team out of trouble in a brilliant partnership with Hardik Pandya (40).</p>
<p>Pakistan were cruising to what seemed a morale-boosting victory but Kohli went ballistic with the bat in the final overs to bring India home in front of 90,293 screaming fans at MCG.</p>
<p>Kohli thrashed back-to-back sixes in the penultimate over against Haris Rauf to push India within 15 runs of victory from the final six balls.</p>
<p>With Kohli off strike, Nawaz had Pandya caught in close with a miscued slog to break a 113-run partnership.</p>
<p>Kohli took back the strike and hit a six off a no-ball as the wheels fell off for Nawaz, who then bowled a wide.</p>
<p>Kohli was bowled off the free hit on the next ball but the ball rattled for three byes off the stumps.</p>
<p>With two balls left and two runs required, Nawaz had Dinesh Karthik stumped but bowled a wide on what would have been the last ball of the over.</p>
<p>Ashwin cleared the in-field with a calm finish to complete the win, sending Indian fans into a frenzy.</p>
Had Rohit believed, at 31/4, that the day would pan out in his favour? “Those two sixes off Haris Rauf, I think that was the turning point. This is where the game actually came towards us a little bit because we knew there was one over of spin bowling left (from Mohammad Nawaz).
“Inside in the dressing room, we were thinking if we can keep about 15-18 in the last over, that guy is going to be under pressure to bowl.”
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