Former India wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik recalled the thrilling last-ball win against Pakistan at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in T20 World Cup 2022. After Virat Kohli’s brutal assault on Haris Rauf with two sixes, India needed 16 runs off the final over. Mohammad Nawaz dismissed Hardik Pandya and three runs came off the first deliveries. Then, he delivered a no ball which was hit for six by Kohli. On the free hit delivery, Kohli missed a high full-toss and got bowled but scampered for three runs. Years later, Karthik revealed that Kohli had no idea where the ball went after it hit the stumps.
"Virat didn't know where the ball went so I had to alert him at that stage," Karthik told Cricbuzz.
On the last two deliveries, India needed two runs as Karthik got the strike. But, the wicketkeeper-batter missed the slog sweep and got out stumped. Karthik was shocked to miss it as it was his go-to shot.
"I was pretty shocked because it's a shot I normally play and I played quite nicely the sweep shot. He bowled it right into my pads and I knew that was what he would do because of the field set. So it was all set but just not meant to be," the 40-year-old said.
Karthik in awe of Ashwin’s move
But, Karthik praised Ravichandran Ashwin’s ‘gully cricket’ approach as he left the ball down the leg side leaving one run to be scored off the last ball.
"I didn't know where the ball was but the best part was Ashwin came in and played a bit of gully cricket and got it done quite nicely. (On Ashwin leaving the ball with two needed off one) He said that happened because he has played so much gully cricket in his building and his colony. So he is so used to doing it when somebody bowls down the leg you move and get an extra ball," Karthik said.
Ashwin finished the run chase as he hit one over mid-off. India won the game by four wickets, leading to a carnival-like atmosphere at the MCG.
Karthik on his state of mind during Kohli-Pandya’s partnership
Karthik also talked about how he was planning to bat when Kohli and Pandya were stitching a partnership. He also revealed that he asked then-head coach Rahul Dravid whether he will be the next to go in if a wicket falls.
"At that time, I was literally just wishing that the Virat Kohli - Hardik Pandya partnership is fruitful because I was padded up next. I was just doing my usual calculations as the overs went one by one. And I always have two images in my mind - one I am batting with Hardik and one I am batting with Virat Kohli. In between also speak to Rahul Dravid about whether it was me who would go in next or somebody else," he said.
While India beat Pakistan in the league stage, they were beaten by 10 wickets in the semifinal by Jos Buttler’s England. In the final, England beat Pakistan to win their second T20 World Cup.