After his brilliant innings, Team India's star batter Virat Kohli has joined in support of young pacer Arshdeep Singh whose dropped catch has been touted as the moment that India lost their 2022 Asia Cup Super 4s clash against Pakistan in Dubai on Sunday, September 11. Kohli admitted that that mistakes are a part of the game, especially under pressure, and anyone can make them. He also expects the youngster to come back strongly after getting over the hate that he will receive.
Speaking at the post-match press conference, Kohli said, "Anyone can make mistakes under pressure. It is a big game and the situation was also tight. I remember when I played my first game against Pakistan in the Champions Trophy, I played a bad shot against Shahid Afridi and got out, I couldn't sleep and was just staring at the ceiling till 5 in the morning. I thought I was never going to play again. It is natural to feel bad.
"As a team, we'll regroup tomorrow. When the team environment is great, you learn from these things. Credit for this goes to management and captain for the environment they have created that 'No worries, next time something like this happens, we want it to come our way'. So one must accept his mistake, address it and look forward to being in that pressure situation once again," the star batter further added.
Arshdeep was among the best bowlers for India on the night, but the pacer, in the 18th over of the Pakistan batting innings, dropped pinch-hitter Asif Ali who mistimed a lofted shot on the off side against leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi. Arshdeep, who was standing at backward point, dropped the sitter.
However, Arshdeep did well to come back well and bowl a brilliant 20th over while defending seven runs but was unable to do the same despite taking the wicket of Asif as well.
India succumbed to a five-wicket loss against Pakistan as the Men in Blue got off to an unceremonious start to their Super 4s. One of the batting stars for India was Kohli, who smashed a brilliant 60 off 44 balls as the middle order collapsed around him and almost single-handedly led India to a total of 182 runs for Pakistan to chase done.
Despite his efforts, India could not defend their total after a masterclass performance from Mohammad Rizwan as his side chased down the target with five wickets to spare.
