MELBOURNE: Arshdeep Singh had “sleepless nights” after dropping a sitter against
Pakistan during
Asia Cup but a healthy a team environment allowed the young Indian left-arm pacer to move on from that and produce a game changing performance against the arch-rivals in the T20
World Cup.
The 23-year-old was subjected to severe criticism following the dropped catch in a Super 4 game of Asia Cup last month and some event went to the extent of calling him a “Khalistani”.
“The team atmosphere is so good that we don’t let the outside noise get in. We enjoy each other’s company, stand for each other in bad times. It really helps,” Arshdeep told media at the mixed zone after India pulled off a thrilling four-wicket win over Pakistan in their World Cup opener here on Sunday.
Arshdeep removed Pakistan’s in-form openers Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan to provide a perfect start to India.
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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>
Asked about the “challenges” of handling two high pressure games in the space of two months, he said: “There is nothing called a challenge if you enjoy your game.
“We are enjoying our cricket, and as I said the team environment is really good. We very much love our game and when that happens you enjoy the sport and there’s no challenge.”
“Personally, I also enjoy my game. Whenever I get an opportunity I try to stay in the present.”
On what he put in extra to be mentally tough, he said: “I didn’t put in anything extra, I just try to keep everything simple. Mainly, I don’t think much.”
Opening the bowling alongside the veteran Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Arshdeep trapped Babar for a golden duck and then in his next over he dismissed Rizwan to set the early momentum.
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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>
Chasing 161, India rode on Virat Kohli‘s majestic 82 not out to seal a four-wicket in a last-ball finish.
“Both the teams are playing really well. As a youngster you really love it. It was a big ground, you have to run hard. It also challenges you physically and mentally and brings out the best in you,” he concluded.
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