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.
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.
“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.
