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‘Kohli used experience to pull off unlikely win’MELBOURNE: Rohit Sharma simply shook his head and smiled when asked to put Virat Kohli’s incredible knock into perspective. “He used his experience more than anything else today and stayed calm under pressure. We know how good he is when there is a score in front of him. He is one of the best drivers in the world,” Rohit said.
Asked if it was the best he had seen in a T20 match, Rohit nod. “His best for sure, but I think from the situation we were in, to come out with a win, I think it has to be one of India’s best knocks. Until the 13th over, we were so behind the game, and the required rate was just going up and up.
“To come out and chase that score was an absolutely brilliant effort from Virat and of course Hardik Pandya also played a role there. 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 charms fans in a cliffhanger
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Virat Kohli turned back the clock and produced a chasing masterclass as India beat Pakistan in a cliffhanger.
Kohli entertained the over 90,000 fans at the iconic MCG, scoring 82* in India’s 4-wicket win.
Chasing a tough 160, India crossed the finish line on the last ball of the epic battle.
India were 31/4 at one stage but Kohli and Hardik helped India steady the chase.
Virat Kohli and Hardik Pandya (40) shared 113 runs for the 5th wicket.
Kohli ended the penultimate over of Haris Rauf with 2 sixes bringing comparison to 16 off last 6 balls.
Kohli’s 2 sixes off Rauf brought the equation down to 16 off the last over, giving India a real chance in the chase.
Kohli also hit a six in the last over while Ashwin hit the winning run off the last ball.
The epic win was followed by captain Rohit lifting Kohli in celebration, pictures of which took the internet by storm.
Importantly, Rohit has refused to accept that Virat has been in some sort of indifferent form over the past few years. “I honestly don’t think he’s struggled or anything. He’s batted as well as he’s been, 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 a good space right from the Asia Cup, where he had 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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Virat Kohli hit a blistering half-century as India cruised to a last-ball four-wicket win against arch-rivals Pakistan at the T20 World Cup.
Pakistan spinner Mohammad Nawaz gifted India two wides and a no-ball in the last over before Ashwin coolly hit the winning run over mid-off as India chased down 160 for victory.
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).
Pakistan were on their way to what looked like a morale-boosting win, but Kohli went ballistic with the bat in the final overs to bring India home in front of 90,293 screaming fans at MCG.
Kohli smashed back-to-back sixes against Haris Rauf in the penultimate over to push India within 15 runs of victory off the last six balls.
With Kohli out on strike, Nawaz caught Pandya with a mistimed stroke to break a 113-run partnership.
Kohli took the blow back and hit a no-ball six as the wheels fell off for Nawaz, who then bowled a wide.
Kohli was sent off the free hit on the next ball, but the ball rattled off the stumps for three overs.
With two balls to spare and two runs needed, Nawaz had Dinesh Karthik stumped but bowled a wide on what would be the last ball of the over.
Ashwin cleared the field with a calm finish to complete the win, sending Indian fans into a frenzy.
On 31/4, did Rohit believe that the day would turn out in his favour? “Those two sixes Harris Rauf, I think that was the turning point. This is where the game actually came to us a bit as we knew there was one over of spin bowling left (from Mohammad Nawaz).
“Inside the dressing room, we thought if we could hold on to 15-18 in the last over, that guy was going to be under pressure to bowl.”
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