Virat Kohli struck an imperious half century and Ravichandran Ashwin was cool to death as India secured a four-wicket last-ball win over rivals Pakistan at the T20 World Cup on Sunday in front of a huge crowd at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Pakistani all-around spin bowler Mohammad Nawaz had a final to forget, handing India two wides and a no-ball before Ashwin coldly struck the game-winning run midway as India chased 160 for the win.
Man of the Match Kohli was magnificent, leading India to the brink of victory with 82 not eliminated after pulling the team out of trouble in a brilliant partnership with Hardik Pandya (40).
Pakistan were sailing towards what looked like a victory to lift their spirits, but Kohli went ballistic with the bat in the finals to drive India home in front of 90,293 screaming fans and hundreds of millions of other spectators across the world.
“Well, it’s a surreal atmosphere. Honestly, I have no words. I have no idea how it happened,” Kohli said.
“Hardik kept telling me, just believe we can stay until the end. I am at a loss for words.
Kohli battered six consecutive shots in the penultimate against Haris Rauf to push India within 15 points of victory on the final six balls.
With Kohli off strike, Nawaz had Pandya taken close with a failed slog to break a 113-point partnership.
Kohli resumed batting and hit a six on a no-ball as the wheels fell for Nawaz, who then played a wide.
Kohli was ejected from the free kick on the next ball, but the ball rattled for three byes on the stumps.
With two balls remaining and two runs required, Nawaz puzzled Dinesh Karthik but threw a wide on what would have been the last ball of the plus.
Ashwin cleared the field with a calm finish to complete the win, sending the Indian fans into a frenzy.
It was a cruel finish for Pakistan, who had rallied well to post an arguable 159-for-8 total after losing the coin toss and starting badly with the bat.
“All credit goes to Hardik Pandya and Virat Kohli,” said Pakistan captain Babar Azam.
“They changed the momentum and finished the game well… We had a chance, and we just asked the boys to believe in themselves, but again, thanks to Virat Kohli.”
