OTD: Virat Kohli’s masterclass guided India to a victory for the ages over Pakistan in T20 WC 2022

India and Pakistan clashed in the 16th match of the T20 World Cup 2022 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on October 23. The match has become unforgettable thanks to the one and only Virat Kohli, who played an all-time great knock not only in T20Is but across formats to help India win the game.

The occasion was a huge one, with more than 90,000 fans filling the MCG ground. India had bowled first after winning the toss. Pakistan lost Babar Azam (0) and Mohammad Rizwan (4) early but managed to post 159/8 in 20 overs, thanks to 52* by Shan Masood and 51 by Iftikhar Ahmed. For India, Arshdeep Singh and Hardik Pandya picked three wickets each.

In response, Pakistan made every Indian fan recall the disastrous 2021 T20 World Cup game, as Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah destroyed the Indian top order. KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma both fell for four, Suryakumar Yadav made 15, while Axar Patel fell for just two runs. India were 31/4 in 7 overs, but fortunately form them, Virat Kohli was at the crease, and he got the support he needed from Hardik Pandya.

He led the Indian innings towards a situation where the things were within reach and needed a big push for the win. Though Pandya made 40 in 37 balls, Kohli took most of the things upon himself in his 113 runs with Pandya.

The last three overs were vital for India, and Kohli teared into Shaheen Afridi in the 18th over, hitting him for three fours. Haris Rauf bowled four good balls in the 18th over, but it was Kohli’s brilliance, including the “shot of the emperor” on the fifth ball of the 18th over, the six straight over the long-on. He hit a six over the square leg to end the over on a high, with India requiring 16 runs in the final over.

Mohammad Nawaz dismissed Hardik Pandya on the first ball, but Kohli returned with a six off the next ball, off a no-ball. And then stole three runs, despite being bowled off at the free hit. Dinesh Karthik got stumped off the penultimate ball, and Ashwin let go of the final delivery on the leg side for a close wide.

Ashwin then hit the final ball over the covers for a boundary, as India won the game by four wickets. Virat Kohli remained unbeaten on 82 in 53 balls with six fours and four sixes.  The knock termed the best innings by a batter in T20 World Cup history and perhaps the best an Indian batter has ever played.

“I have no words. I have no idea how we pulled that off,” Kohli said after winning the Player of the Match for his knock.

Disclaimer: This Exclusive News is based on the author’s understanding, analysis, and instinct. As you review this information, consider the points mentioned and form your own conclusions.

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