Chase Master Virat Kohli
In India’s tense four-wicket victory over Pakistan in the T20 World Cup 2022 Super 12 stage in Melbourne on Sunday, Virat Kohli scored a spectacular unbeaten 82 off 53 balls, shocking the cricketing community.
In perhaps the best India vs. Pakistan T20I match in recent memory, Kohli brought out the best in himself, the perfect finisher of run-chases, to help India over the line with the last ball.
Because of the significance of the match and the circumstances, he considered this innings to be his finest in T20Is.
Top Five T20 Knocks Of Virat Kohli
82* (53) v Pakistan, Melbourne, 2022:
Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah, and Shaheen Afridi, Pakistan’s three-pronged pace attack, were impenetrable in the first half, but Kohli accumulated runs through ones and twos and carried the game to its conclusion. After hitting 50 off 43 deliveries, Kohli changed tack with Hardik Pandya at the other end. India needed 48 from the final three overs, and Kohli kept the chase going by hitting Shaheen for three boundaries on either side of the strip.
After hitting 50 off 43 deliveries, Kohli changed tack with Hardik Pandya at the other end. India needed 48 from the final three overs, and Kohli kept the chase going by hitting Shaheen for three boundaries on either side of the strip.
India needed 16 runs off the last over, and with the help of a no-ball, free hits, wides, and Kohli’s cunning under duress, the Men in Blue etched a historic comeback victory.
After the match, he stated that “It’s a surreal atmosphere, I have no words, no idea how that happened. I am really lost for words,” Kohli said in the moments after. The calculation was simple. Nawaz had gone over to the bowl, so if I could take Haris down, they would panic. From 28 in 8, it came down to 16 to 6. I tried to stick to my instincts. The first one was the 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.” Source: ICC
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82* (51) v Australia, Mohali, 2016
The side was down 49 for three when Kohli, who is notorious for scoring frequently against the Australians, counterattacked and rallied the troops. When India needed 38 runs off the final three, Kohli smacked Nathan Coulter-Nile and James Faulkner all over the park. He hit seven boundaries to excite the crowd and eliminate Australia from the competition.
After that match, Kohli stated, “You need challengers every game, they improve you as a cricketer, this inning has to be in my top three, perhaps the top right now because I am a bit emotional.” Source: ICC
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72* (44) v South Africa, Mirpur, 2014
Then 25 years old, Kohli guided a chase with ease and grace in a game under extreme strain. India needed 93 runs from 10 overs in the T20 World Cup semifinal match against South Africa as Kohli entered the crease.
India sped toward the finish line because of Kohli’s excellent running between the wickets and his quickness to find the fence. After hammering Dale Steyn for a boundary through mid-wicket, Kohli single-handedly drove India into the championship game. Kohli finished the game undefeated on 72 from 44 deliveries.
After the match, he stated “Today was one of those days when I had to keep my cool,” after accepting the Player of the Match trophy. In T20s, I look at the target in the number of runs and overs to go, not runs and balls to go. Overs makes it look easier.” Source: ICC
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55* (37) v Pakistan, Kolkata, 2016
The batting group was under significant pressure to keep the 2016 season under their control. When Pakistan bowled 18 overs, Kohli took everything in, despite the contest being hampered by bad conditions. The best score from the opposition came from Shoaib Malik (16), and Yuvraj’s 24 kept Kohli company.
When reaching the half-century mark, Kohli made a bow to Sachin Tendulkar and committed to his strikes. India went on to complete the victory with 13 balls remaining.
After the match, Virat stated “It was a challenging wicket, that’s what you want as a cricketer new challenges to play. But getting the team out of trouble gives me pleasure. The focus becomes much more on such wickets. I think the score on the board makes me a better chaser.” Source: ICC
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78* (61) v Pakistan, Colombo (RPS), 2012
By surpassing his own mark, Kohli’s great innings are the highest by an Indian batsman in T20I victorious chases. On September 30, 2012, he defeated Pakistan in a World Cup match at Colombo (RPS), with an unbeaten 78 off 61 balls.
In the midst of another India-Pakistan match on a sluggish R.Premadasa Stadium field, Kohli displayed composure. After witnessing teammate Gautam Gambhir get caught and bowled by Raza Hasan two balls into the innings. Kohli strode out as the batters on the other side limped back attempting valiantly to increase their run rate.
Before making a statement with an easy drive over Shahid Afridi for six in the first over outside the Powerplay. Kohli made only 16 runs off his first 19 deliveries. With 18 balls left, he cruised to victory with eight fours and two sixes. Significantly preserving his team’s chances of winning the match.
After the match, Kohli stated “The key is to stay as calm as possible. In the last game, I thought a bit too much. The idea is to play 10-15 overs and the team benefits from it, (It was) a slow wicket but better under lights.” Source: ICC
Virat Kohli The GOAT (Greatest Of All Time)
Virat Kohli is known for his amazing batting skills and with these kinds of knocks, he is certainly on the list of one of the greats to ever play the game of cricket. These knocks show how well Virat has developed himself throughout his cricket career and now he has grown into becoming the Legend of the sport. There is no doubt that Virat Kohli is one of the best batsmen in the world and it is always amazing to watch him play.
Let’s hope that he continues to deliver masterpieces like this knocks in the future and leaves the game as one of the best in the business.
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