Home
Virat Kohli owned the grand stage with a knock for the ages as he powered India to an epic four-wicket over Pakistan in a heart-stopping T20 World Cup game, that unfolded at the MCG 'amphitheatre' which was packed with 90,000 boisterous fans on Sunday.
King Kohli, as his fans call him, conjured up a magical and memorable unbeaten 82-run knock to anchor a chase of 160 which became tricky after India were left in tatters at 31/4.
Meanwhile, Sachin Tendulkar-led india's legendary cricketers in showering praise for the batting juggernaut. Sachin took to Twitter and termed Kohli's knock the best innings of his life.
“It was undoubtedly the best innings of your life. It was a treat to watch you play, the six off the back foot in the 19th over against Rauf over long on was spectacular! 😮 Keep it going,” Tendulkar tweeted.
Former India's star all-rounder Yuvraj Singh tweeted,"Kept his cool @ashwinravi99 leaving that ball for a wide !!! What a game unbelievable!!’ #indiavspak is always more than a game ‘ it’s an emotion !!! 🇮🇳 greatness personified @imVkohli."
Also, former India's star pacer Irfan Pathan took to Twitter and said," Virat Kohli you are the king".
Former India's explosive batter Virender Sehwag posted a poetic tweet,"Na Ishq mein Na Pyaar mein , Jo Mazaa hai ________ ki ________ mein. Fill in the blanks. #IndvsPak #TeamIndia.
Later, India's legendary spinner Harbhajan also tweeted and said," Simply superb and one of the finest victories for Team India. Congratulations from the bottom of my heart. What an innings by @imVkohli @hardikpandya7 & @arshdeepsinghh. You have all done a commendable work @BCCI".
Mohammed Kaif also praised Kohli and tweeted," Kohli will always be a champion cricketer, one of the best batsman ever to play the game and someone who makes us proud to be an Indian. 🇮🇳 #Truechampion @imVkohli."
Meanwhile, Ambati Rayudu tweeted,"Surreal crowd out here. Let the Diwali celebrations begin back home! #T20WorldCup #IndvPak".
Hardik Pandya, the most important cog in India's T20 wheel, struck 40 off 37 balls in a partnership of 113.
His ability to win matches for India coming under the scanner due to a prolonged lean patch, Kohli sang the perfect redemption song on the grandest stage.
It started in the 19th over when he sent one from Haris Rauf on his hunches and pulled off two back-to-back sixes.
Cricket indeed is a leveller as Rauf, after 22 splendid deliveries bowled two bad ones and it changed the complexion of the game.
With 16 needed off last six balls, Pandya holed out off Mohammed Nawaz's bowling and with rule of crossover non existent, Dinesh Karthik faced his first delivery and took a single.
With 14 needed off three balls, Nawaz’s juicy full-toss was dispatched for a six over square leg and it was called a no-ball after deliberation by on-field umpires.
Nawaz, the hero of Pakistan's Super 4 victory in the Asia Cup, by then had lost his nerves.
After Karthik was stumped by an alert Mohammed Rizwan, Nawaz bowled a wide and Ravichandran Ashwin scored the most important boundary of his career.
'Chak De India' reverberating around the MCG never sounded sweeter and Kohli seemed numb. He punched ground, took a long walk back, showed thumbs up to the crowd having restored India’s supremacy at a global event.
