Virat Kohli thanks fans for support through rough patch after 82 vs Pakistan, MCG cheers: Watch

Virat Kohli looked emotional after the win against Pakistan at the T20 World Cup 2022 on Sunday. His match-winning 82-run knock, which the former India captain said is his best yet, helped the Men in Blue chase a 160-run target with four wickets to spare. 

India captain Rohit Sharma lifted Kohli. Hardik Pandya, who shared a 113-run stand with the 33-year-old, came running to hug him as the entire team celebrated a thrilling last-ball win. 

Also read: Virat Kohli pounds Shaheen Afridi: Breaking down India’s game-changing over vs Pakistan at T20 World Cup 2022

The entire Melbourne Cricket Stadium was chanting ‘Kohli, Kohli’. 

“It’s a surreal atmosphere, I have no words, no idea how that happened. I am really lost for words. Hardik believed we can do it, if we stayed till the end,” Kohli said. He was named the player of the match. 

Also read: Rohit Sharma lifts Virat Kohli, India celebrate 4 wicket win over Pakistan: Watch

The former India captain also thanked fans for supporting him through his rough patch this year. Kohli had not scored a century in over 1000 days before reaching the three-digit mark during the Asia Cup 2022. 

“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. Hardik kept pushing me. The crowd has been phenomenal. You guys (fans) kept backing me and I am grateful for your support,” he added. 

India, at a point, needed 28 runs off eight balls. The equation came down to 16 needed off six. Spinned Mohammad Nawaz dismissed Hardik Pandya on the first ball of the final over. However, a no-ball went for six and the Men in Blue eventually won the game. 

Also read: No ball or not? Babar Azam, Pakistan protest umpire’s call after India’s Virat Kohli smashes six: Watch

“When Shaheen bowled from the pavilion end, that’s when we decided to take him down. Haris is their prime bowler, and I hit those two sixes. The calculation was simple. Nawaz had one over to 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 back of a hand slower ball (the one over long-on),” Kohli said.