Virat Kohli’s innings against Pakistan at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) will go down in cricket folklore as one of the greatest ever played in the T20I format. Kohl helped India pull off an improbable victory in the blockbuster T20 World Cup clash against their arch-rivals.
Chasing a total of 160, India found themselves staring at a big defeat at 31-4 before a 113-run partnership between Hardik Pandya and Kohli helped the team take the game towards the deep. Ultimately, India got over the line in an incredible last-ball finish with Ravichandran Ashwin holding his nerve and hitting the winning runs.
Kohli played arguably the best knock of his career with an unbeaten innings of 82 in 53 balls that included six boundaries and four sixes. The Indian cricket fans saw a special reunion after the match as former head coach Ravi Shastri interviewed Kohli in the post-match presentation as the ex-Indian captain was deservingly named Player of the Match (POTM).
Talking about the innings, Shastri has described he was not suprised at all and was expecting it knowing Kohli’s exceptional record in Australia and his knack of getting big knocks was Pakistan. However, the cricketer-turned commentater did reveal that was emotional seeing Kohli’s brilliance knowing what he has been through in recent times.
“Perhaps, it’s best to start with a feeling that I didn’t have when I was watching the greatest T20 knock by Virat: I wasn’t surprised. I was waiting for this to happen. I knew this would happen in Australia. Just check his record here – the pitches suit him plus he loves playing on these grounds and in front of the fans here. His record against Pakistan has always been good and it was a big situation: cometh the hour, cometh the stage, cometh the man,” wrote Shastri to Indian Express.
“I got emotional when it was all unfolding. I have seen what he has gone through in the last couple of years. We all know the recent context. Did I have something to say to him at the end? Frankly, not a thing. We are a country with short memories; topi masters of the world! We flip, change in two minutes. Kohli knows what I feel. I know what he feels. What’s there to be said? Not a thing,” he added.
Shastri further took aim at Kohli’s critics and stated he has got a hard time from the media and hopes the Indian batting talisman can just enjoy his cricket going forward. “For the cricketing world, he was a superstar even before the knock; now let them decide what he is to them. I am not going to put in words for them. What’s next for Virat Kohli? I have no expectations, just let him enjoy his life.
The media and critics have put enough pressure on this uncut diamond and he showed who he is. Chup kar diya na sabko?! (He has silenced everyone, right),” Shastri concluded.
