Vintage Kohli Helps India win a Thriller in Melbourne
(The Quiver): On Sunday, Virat Kohli’s knock of 82* runs helped India win a famous win against Pakistan in Melbourne. Despite the fact that India lost their top four batsmen in the first seven overs, Kohli nearly single-handedly guided India to victory. Hardik Pandya also played a pivotal knock of 40 runs.
As it happened
After opting to bowl first in overcast conditions, India started well with the ball as Pakistan both the openers quickly with the score 15-2. Then Shan Masood (52*) and Iftikhar Ahmad quick knock of 51 provided that partnership for Pakistan. Then, a mini collapse from Pakistan did put India in the front, but a crucial 16 runs from Shaheen Afridi took Pakistan to 159-8.
Arshdeep Singh and Hardik Pandya took 3 wickets each for India.
In the chase, India made a terrible start with the bat after losing 4 wickets for 31 runs inside the 7th over. Pakistan bowlers were hitting the lengths right and were not giving any width to the India batsman. Then it was the Kohli and Pandya partnership of 113 runs which took closer to the target.
Later in the end, India scored 16 runs of the last over to win a memorable match which will remain in the history books of T20 cricket.
“My best T20 innings because of the magnitude of the game and the situation”- Virat Kohli
