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Run machine Virat Kohli is widely regarded as one of the finest batters in the contemporary era of cricket. Kohli stands out as the only batter on this planet to belt 50 centuries in One Day Internationals as he surpassed the 'Master Blaster' Sachin Tendulkar's all-time record during the 2023 ODI World Cup. Over the past 18 months, Kohli has made an impressive comeback, consistently performing across all formats of the game.
In particular, Kohli's stunning performance in the 2022 T20 World Cup group stage match against Pakistan is still vivid in everyone's memory. Facing a formidable Pakistani bowling attack, including Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Haris Rauf, Team India were on the verge of defeat after losing four wickets for a mere 31 runs while chasing a target of 160. However, Kohli turned the match on its head single handedly with his unbelievable batting. He effortlessly toyed with Pakistan's lethal bowling attack, making their formidable attack seem less threatening.
The standout moment in Kohli's innings was his spectacular six off Haris Rauf in the penultimate over's fifth delivery, a powerful shot straight down the ground. Commentator Harsha Bhogle memorably remarked during the live broadcast, “Kohli goes down the ground, Kohli goes out of the ground.”
In a nail-biting finish, with India needing two runs from the final two deliveries, Dinesh Karthik was dismissed on the second-to-last ball, leaving India with a challenging situation of 2 runs required from the last ball. Ravichandran Ashwin stepped in at this crucial juncture. Facing Pakistani bowler Mohammad Nawaz, who attempted to target Ashwin's legs, he ended up delivering a wide outside the leg stump. Ashwin smartly chose not to play at it. With just one run needed off the final ball, Ashwin skillfully played the ball along the ground, securing a 4-wicket victory for India. Kohli remained unbeaten with a remarkable score of 82 runs.
R Ashwin lavishes praise on Virat Kohli
India's spin wizard Ashwin views Kohli's innings as a remarkable, once-in-a-lifetime performance. However, Ashwin believes that once Kohli taps into a certain mode within himself, he is capable of playing any innings at any required pace. Kohli, who recently returned to T20I cricket, scored 29 runs off 16 balls in the second T20I match against Afghanistan. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ravichandran Ashwin expressed his opinion that Kohli's performance is a clear indication of his readiness for the T20 World Cup 2024.
“The ever-consistent Virat Kohli scored heaps of runs in the ODI World Cup. He flew like a Superman to save a six, and that is the reason why this match (3rd T20I) went into the Super Over. But his intent in the second T20I to hit every bowler out of the park just shows that he is also game for the upcoming World Cup. He also wants to take an aggressive approach. It was brilliant to watch him play in such gear,” Ashwin said.
“This is Virat Kohli we are talking about, one of the greatest Indian batters to ever grace the game. When he switches on a mode inside him, he can play any game at any pace. And he showed it yet again,” Ashwin concluded.
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