Rohit Sharma has declared Virat Kohli’s stunning innings in India’s T20 World Cup win over Pakistan as his finest on the International stage.
Pakistan appeared set to close in on a huge win over their bitter rivals before 90,000 spectators at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground. Fifties from Iftikhar Ahmed and Shan Masood gave Pakistan a 159-8 total, and Pakistan stunned India to leave them struggling at 31-4 in the seventh over.
India required 48 to win from the final three overs before Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf battled to leave them needing 16 from the final six balls. Mohammad Nawaz bowled the last over and was hit for six by Kohli, which was deemed a no-ball.
After bowling a wide, Nawaz bowled Kohli - but the delivery was still a free-hit and India ran three as the ball clipped the stumps and ricocheted towards the boundary. Nawaz dismissed Dinest Karthik via stumping but another wide left India needing just one run from one ball.
Ravi Ashwin finished the job to clinch a remarkable four-wicket win for India. The victory was in no small part down to Kohli’s exceptional 82 not out performance, fuelling one of the most spectacular matches in T20 World Cup history.
India captain Rohit Sharma praised Kohli and hailed the 33-year-old’s performance as his greatest innings representing India. He said: “I have no words. I think you have to expect something like this in a game like this.
“Our plan was to stay in the game as long as possible, that is what we have talked about, and keep believing you can pull through from whatever situation. That’s what happened with that partnership between Hardik and Virat.
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“Those two guys are experienced and have been in that kind of situation. Staying calm and taking it deep was critical. This is good for our confidence and good to get off the mark in that first game.
“Hats off to Virat. I think it was the best innings he has played for India.”
Kohli referred to the moment as ‘special’ and claimed he was lost for words as India scored the winning run. Chiming in on the debate over his greatest performances for India, Kohli said: “I just feel like this was meant to be. Was it my best T20 innings?
“Until today I said at Mohali versus Australia was my best innings but I think today was one higher, given the magnitude of the game. It seemed impossible.
“Thanks to the fans. These past few months I have struggled and you kept backing me.”
