AERIAL VIEW
With 48 required of 18 deliveries and 28 needed off 8 balls, India was well and truly out of the contest, but King Kohli had some other ideas for Diwali celebrations.
He has shown the world his determination and also proved why he is called the “King”.
He demonstrated to other players like KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav how to play the likes of Shaheen Shah Afridi and Harris Rauf.
It was a knock similar to or even better than what Sachin Tendulkar played against Pakistan in a World Cup match, wherein he scored 98. I call it better because Virat took India home.
Editor, Goemkarponn
Every shot he played on Sunday before the mesmerising 90k-plus crowd at the MCG (Melbourne Cricket ground) made much more sound than the fire-crackers back in India.
It was like the former India captain, and arguably the world’s best batsman, put his skills on display to take India past the solid Pakistan total of 159.
With 48 required of 18 deliveries and 28 needed off 8 balls, India was well and truly out of the contest, but King Kohli had some other ideas for Diwali celebrations.
He has shown the world his determination and also proved why he is called the “King”.
He demonstrated to other players like KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav how to play the likes of Shaheen Shah Afridi and Harris Rauf.
It was a knock similar to or even better than what Sachin Tendulkar played against Pakistan in a World Cup match, wherein he scored 98. I call it better because Virat took India home.There were lots of similarities in these two knocks as, at that time, Shoaib Akhtar was unplayable, and the Indian batters were all at sea against him, but as a leader and India’s premier batsman Tendulkar took on the responsibility then to lead the way smashing Akhtar & Co to almost all parts of the park. His uppercut of Shoaib Akhtar had become a signature shot, later replicated by many others.
The situation was similar here; Virat had to lead the way once India was 31 for 4. He not only had to prove to the world that he was still the best Chase Master but also win the match for India.
His two shots of Harris Rauf in the 19th over shocked and mesmerised one and all. First was the backfoot six of a short ball and then a six of a flick, which only Kohli can do. Mind you, MCG is no small ground; you need sheer power and timing to clear the ropes, and Kohli did it comfortably.
With the Elephant of Pakistan off India’s back, it would be surprising if India does not bring the Cup home from Australia. Bhuvi, Arshadeep and Shami look dangerous in Australian conditions, and India’s bowling starts looks formidable once again.
The only weak link in the Indian team seems to be KL Rahul, who chokes under pressure and SKY needs to bat more responsibly.
However, alot depends on Virat Kohli; if India has to win the Cup, his morale after the Pakistan win will be sky-high, and he will try to make the most of his touch in the upcoming Games.
Who could believe Virat could take India home from that hopeless situation. Especially when this man had to go through so much in the last three years. His tears after the victory speak volumes of what he has gone through recently.
Watching Virat for over a decade now, Indians only know how tough he is on the field, but the tears proved he is a human. And for God’s Sake, Don’t start calling him god after this innings. He is our Hero; he is India’s Hero, and let him remain a human being who has feelings too.
