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- India vs Pakistan Highlights, T20 World Cup 2022: Miracle in Melbourne - Vintage Virat Kohli takes India to memorable win vs Pakistan
India vs Pakistan Highlights, T20 World Cup 2022: Miracle in Melbourne - Vintage Virat Kohli takes India to memorable win vs Pakistan
The King Kohli is back to doing what he does best and the way he snatched a victory from the jaws of defeat against Pakistan in India's opening match at the T20 World Cup reminded the fans of vintage Virat Kohli. Kohli single-handedly powered India to an epic four-wicket win over arch-rivals Pakistan with a magnificent 53-ball 82 not out - an innings he described as his best T20I knock ever.
That's it from this game. On 24th October, Bangladesh will take on Netherlands at 9.30 am IST (4 am GMT) and later South Africa will face Zimbabwe at 1.30 pm IST (8 am GMT). Do join us for the build up. Cheers!
Rohit Sharma who has lost his voice says he can't believe what just happened. Adds things like this can be expected. States they always believed and they always back themselves irrespective of the situation. Mentions the pitch had something in it for the bowlers and the pacers used the conditions well but Pakistan batted well later on. Admits it was not going to be an easy target to chase and they had to bat really well. Also says Hardik and Kohli were brilliant, they are experienced players and they took the game as deep as possible. Ends by saying it is a confidence boosting win and from where they won is more pleasing and it is probably Kohli's best knock ever.
Babar Azam says their bowlers bowled well but credit to Kohli and Pandya as stole the game. Adds with the bat, it was not easy with the swing there but they built a partnership and ended well. Shares he told boys to stick to the plans but credit to Kohli again. Reckons he utlized his main bowlers earlier because he wanted some wickets. Adds there are many positives from this game.
I was in the dressing room. I don't have any words left. You have to expect something like this in a game like this. We wanted to stay in the game for as long as possible. That crucial partnership was the game changing moment for us. The pitch had something in it. There was a nice carry. Some swing and seam. We put them under some pressure. Good to see from the bowling perspective. They batted well towards the end. But we knew we had to bat out of our skin to chase this. Those two guys are experienced. Staying calm and taking the game deep was very critical. Good for our confidence. Always crucial to get off the mark like this. We were in no position to win this. It is Virat's best knock playing for India. I would expect nothing less from the crowd wherever we go in Australia.
India skipper Rohit Sharma
Our bowlers bowled really well. All credit to Kohli and Pandya. It wasn't easy with the new ball. We had partnerships after 10 overs. We had a chance. We tried to stick to our plans. But credit to Virat Kohli. In the middle we decided we wanted a wicket and held the spinner back. We had a lot of positives. The way Iftikhar played and the way Shan played.
Pakistan skipper Babar Azam
The crowd roars as Kohli has been handed the MAN OF THE MATCH AWARD. He says it is a surreal atmosphere. Adds Hardik told to just believe. Shares that they knew that Nawaz had one over. Adds they had a plan to go after Shaheen and Rauf. Tells that the shots in the second last over were instinctive. Says his innings at Mohali against Australia was similar but this game will rank much higher. On the crowd, says it is phenomenal. He was struggling but the crowd supported him throughout.
It's a surreal atmosphere, I have no words, no idea how that happened. I am really lost for words. Hardik believed we could do it, if we stayed till the end. When Shaheen bowled from the pavilion end, that's when we decided to take him down. Haris is their prime bowler, and I hit those two sixes. From 28 in 8, it came down to 16 to 6. I tried to stick to my instincts. The first one was back of a hand slower ball (the one over long-on). Standing here I just feel like it was meant to be. Till today Mohali was my best innings against Australia. Today I will count this one higher. Hardik kept pushing me. The crowd has been phenomenal. You guys (fans) kept backing me and I am grateful for your support.
Player of the Match: Virat Kohli (82* off 53; 4x6s, 6x4s)
... TIME FOR THE PRESENTATION ...
Earlier in the day, after electing to bowl, India had Pakistan in trouble by getting the two openers early. Shan Masood though along with the rest took his side to a competitive total. In reply, India were always behind the 8-ball but a brilliant innings from Kohli who got able support from Pandya ensured it is India who have pulled a rabbit out of the hat.
Pakistan will be heart broken! This is a defeat which they sink in so easy! Even their fans in the crowd looked heart broken. Their bowlers were breathing fire earlier on. They had India right on the back foot but they just succumbed under pressure in the final phase of the innings. Bowlers like Rauf and Shaheen who are known for their excellent bowling at the death just could not handle the pressure of the big stage. To add to that, Nawaz who has had an amazing 6 months or so, turned out to be the villian. Have to believe, that no ball in the last over is what cost Pakistan the game.
