New Delhi: On this day two years back, Virat Kohli came up with a magnificent knock, producing a masterclass to thrash Pakistan in the T20 World Cup 2022. When the Indian team looked down and out, Kohli played a single-handed innings to get his team out of danger and secure a remarkable victory over the arch-rivals.
With India looking at an improbable chase, Kohli lit up the Melbourne Cricket Ground with his strokes of brilliance achieving the impossible for the Men in Blue. The star batter played an unbeaten 83-run knock of 53 deliveries, smashing the Pakistani bowlers all across the MCG. Pakistan, batting first, posted a competitive score of 159/8 with fifties from Shan Masood and Iftikhar Ahmed, despite a fine bowling effort from the Indian team.
India falter in chase early on
The Indian chase began on a disappointing note after skipper Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul and Suryakumar Yadav fell cheaply, leaving India in tatters at 31/4 after just 6 overs. Pakistan’s pacers, led by Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf, stunned the Indian team sending a feeling across that it was done and dusted for them. But Kohli along with Hardik Pandya stood firm and steadied the ship for India after initial blows.
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The duo stitched a crucial 113-run stand for the fifth wicket, which kept India afloat in the game. The last three overs of the innings were left and India needed 48 to win the clash. With chances appearing to be less, Kohli unleashed his beast mode smashing Shaheen Afridi for three boundaries in the 18th over. In the 19th over, Haris Rauf conceded just three runs off his first four balls but Kohli then turned the game around with two massive sixes in the final two deliveries.
Watch the iconic six
18.5 WAS CREATED ON THIS DAY 2 YEARS AGO…!!! 🐐
– Virat Kohli smashed Haris Rauf for one of the most iconic sixes in history. 🙇♂️ pic.twitter.com/euBp1d17t5
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) October 22, 2024
India now required 16 runs from the final 6 balls off Mohammad Nawaz. The first ball came as a big blow as the bowler took the wicket of Hardik. Kohli then, single-handedly slammed a six off a no-ball, ran quick byes off a bowled free-hit and with just two runs needed off the last ball, Ravichandran Ashwin, who was at the non-striker’s end played a lofted shot to secure a thrilling win.
