A chop onto the stumps in the second over, an edge carrying to the slips and soon another edge getting through to the wicketkeeper – in short, India were in tatters and Pakistan bowlers, Haris Rauf in particular, had their tails up. The nightmares of 152/0 started flashing the minds of Indian fans as the chase of 160 started feeling like that of 200 against a roaring MCG crowd in the T20 World Cup, last year. All this had happened through the powerplay. To make matters were, Axar Patel was run out in the seventh over and Virat Kohli at the other was delegated to being just a spectator.
At 5 (9) with just six wickets in hand and the run rate nearing 10, Kohli knew what he had to do but this time the acceleration had to be delayed because with one more wicket, it could have been over for India. So Kohli and Hardik Pandya ensured that no damage took place in the next five overs. After which the gears shifted. Hardik made the first strike against Mohammad Nawaz. Kohli joined the party in the next over and slowly it seemed as if Kohli had taken it upon himself to get the job done.
Kohli was the only one to make something of note amid the 2021 T20 World Cup debacle against this very opposition. It felt like this was personal for Kohli. He wanted to be there at the end. He wanted to be the guy who took his side over the line. The rescue job was done, a boundary came nearly every over to ensure that the run rate didn’t go out of reach and it was time to go. But the required rate was 16 now with just 18 balls now.
Shaheen Afridi was the first target as Kohli smashed three fours as India collected 17 runs off the over, one more than what was required. The wrecker-in-chief Rauf arrived for the penultimate over and did well for himself going for just three runs in four deliveries. The pressure was now the highest, the required rate had gone up to 21 and India were in desperate need of boundaries. Till then Kohli was playing, during the last eight deliveries, the King took his throne.
A length ball around thigh height on stumps, Kohli was cramped for room by Rauf but in a matter of milliseconds, Kohli made a last-minute shift of getting to the leg side to give himself a little more as he hoisted the ball straight over the bowler’s head in one of the shots of the tournament. He walked sideways to almost acknowledge and admire what he had just done. But he didn’t have much time as 22 runs were still remaining and only 7 balls left.
Kohli had seeped into Rauf’s skin by now and now he was dictating the terms. A six over fine-leg of the final delivery and 16 runs were left. Two wickets, a six, a wide, a no-ball and a triple – everything happened in the final over bowled by Mohammad Nawaz but eventually it was India and Virat Kohli, who denied Pakistan a repeat of 2021 and an early Diwali gift.
Rohit Sharma lifted Kohli, Kohli didn’t understand the enormity of what he had done, the MCG was up on its feet after witnessing probably the best India-Pakistan game in a decade. A year later Virat Kohli is still the best chaser in the game and India is still winning games in World Cup.
Latest Cricket News
Top News
Aaj Ki Baat: Full episode, October 23, 2023
‘Tameez se baat kar’: Vicky Jain lashes out at wife Ankita Lokhande in Bigg Boss 17 house
Ibrahim Zadran dedicates Player of the Match award to Afghan refugees sent back by Pakistan | WATCH
Related Cricket News
Ibrahim Zadran dedicates Player of the Match award to Afghan refugees sent back by Pakistan | WATCH
World Cup 2023: Afghanistan register massive gain on points table after historic win over Pakistan
Giant killers Afghanistan cause another World Cup upset, register maiden win over Pakistan in ODIs
World Cup: Mohammad Nabi gives Babar Azam run out scare at non-striker’s end | WATCH
‘Ball to rok lo’: Shaheen Afridi massively trolled after running ahead without stopping ball
Latest News
Aaj Ki Baat: Full episode, October 23, 2023
Ibrahim Zadran dedicates Player of the Match award to Afghan refugees sent back by Pakistan | WATCH
‘Affidavit not filed under pressure’: Businessman Darshan Hiranandani on Mahua Moitra’s allegation
‘Tameez se baat kar’: Vicky Jain lashes out at wife Ankita Lokhande in Bigg Boss 17 house
© 2009-2023 Independent News Service. All rights reserved.
Aaj Ka Rashifal: From Aries to Pisces, know how will be your day from Acharya Indu Prakash
Yoga TIPS: Yog Guru Ramdev Six mantras will keep you fit all day during Navami!
Super 100: Watch Top 100 News of The Day
Superfast 200: Watch top 200 News of The Day
Haqiqat Kya Hai: The dream of defeating Modi… Tell me who is sending help, sir?
Aaj Ki Baat: Full episode, October 23, 2023
‘Affidavit not filed under pressure’: Businessman Darshan Hiranandani on Mahua Moitra’s allegation
VK Pandian, Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik’s private secretary, takes voluntary retirement
Tharoor slams trolls after cropped photo with Moitra circulates on social media, says cheap politics
‘Deeply saddened…’: President Murmu, PM Modi, others condole death of legendary Bishan Singh Bedi
Ibrahim Zadran dedicates Player of the Match award to Afghan refugees sent back by Pakistan | WATCH
Giant killers Afghanistan cause another World Cup upset, register maiden win over Pakistan in ODIs
World Cup: Mohammad Nabi gives Babar Azam run out scare at non-striker’s end | WATCH
‘Ball to rok lo’: Shaheen Afridi massively trolled after running ahead without stopping ball
Babar Azam vs Shaheen Afridi: Pakistan team divided into two groups? PCB denies rift rumours
‘Mai taiyar hu… phad do kapde’: Digvijaya’s light-hearted reaction on ‘tear clothes’ remark
Rajasthan: Congress’ Danish Abrar’s car pelted with stones, MLA blames ‘anti-social’ elements
Rajasthan’s Gehlot govt a pioneer of appeasement, says Gajendra Shekhawat over Dausa priest killing
Telangana polls: Priyanka Gandhi to address election rally in Mahbubnagar on October 31
Madhya Pradesh elections: Congress names Manoj Malve as its candidate from Amla seat
Pakistan: Police arrest over 100 workers of Imran Khan’s party in Lahore over solidarity rally
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan submits protocol for Sweden’s admission to NATO
51 countries express concern over Chinese human rights violations against Uyghurs in Xinjiang
US reiterates warning to defend Philippines as tensions with China escalate in disputed waters
Pakistan: Supreme Court declares military trials of civilians in May 9 riots ‘null and void’
‘Tameez se baat kar’: Vicky Jain lashes out at wife Ankita Lokhande in Bigg Boss 17 house
WATCH:Ram Charan, Upasana celebrate Bathukamma festival with baby daughter Klin
Kangana Ranaut will be the FIRST woman to burn Ravan’s effigy at Delhi’s Luv Kush Ramleela | WATCH
SHOCKING! Bigg Boss Kannada 10 contestant Varthur Santhosh arrested mid-show, here’s WHY
‘Will be missed immensely’: Shah Rukh Khan pays TRIBUTE to late Bishan Singh Bedi
Ibrahim Zadran dedicates Player of the Match award to Afghan refugees sent back by Pakistan | WATCH
Giant killers Afghanistan cause another World Cup upset, register maiden win over Pakistan in ODIs
World Cup: Mohammad Nabi gives Babar Azam run out scare at non-striker’s end | WATCH
Rajasthan Royals rope in Shane Bond as assistant and fast-bowling coach ahead of IPL 2024
‘Ball to rok lo’: Shaheen Afridi massively trolled after running ahead without stopping ball
Samsung Galaxy Tab A9 series with 5,100mAh battery, Screen Recorder and more
Airtel’s special plan: Extended 35-days validity with unlimited calling
Reliance set to acquire Disney’s Indian operations in multi-billion dollar deal
OnePlus and Realme exit Indian TV manufacturing and sales
Instagram tests feature allowing users to transform photos into custom stickers for Reels and Storie
Soumya Vishwanthan case: How did police crack ‘murder mystery’ of Delhi journalist? EXPLAINED
Israel-Palestine conflict: Why do terror groups like Hamas take people hostage? Explained
Explained: How to play Lacrosse? Sport recently added to Los Angeles Olympics 2028
SC’s Nithari case verdict raises serious questions on UP Police investigation process | EXPLAINED
RCS Messaging Explained: Understanding its features and operations
Horoscope Today, October 23: Taurus’ work will be completed; know about other zodiac signs
Weekly horoscope (Oct 23 to Oct 29): Virgos to make some tough decisions; know about others
Horoscope Today, October 22: Auspicious occasion for Cancer; know about other zodiac signs
Horoscope Today, October 21: Capricorn to flourish in career, know about other zodiac signs
Horoscope Today, October 20: Virgo to work on new project; know about other zodiac signs
Air turns silent killer: Toxic air can now increase risk of breast cancer
Unusual fever with SLEEPLESSNESS takes over Mumbai, here’s everything you need to know
10 deaths in 24 hours while performing Garba! Can dancing trigger heart attack?
Mutton or Chicken: Which is better for weight loss?
How often you should visit a dentist? Tips for better oral health care