With 28 needed on the last 8 balls, India had a daunting task at hand, but Kohli conjured up two shots that will be talked about at length.
One was a six-bat straight over the pitcher’s head and the next was a slender leg punch under extreme pressure. This reduced the equation to a very achievable 16 from the final.
India scored a famous victory in the last ball of the game.
Hardik, who was watching Kohli’s mastery from the other side, looked back at those special six.
(AFP photo)
“I’ve scored many sixes, but those are special, special and really special in my heart now because of what (this) meant to both of us. I’ve played cricket, so much cricket, but I don’t think anyone can. playing those two shots except Kohli, ”Hardik told the BCCI website as he sat next to Kohli.
Of special shots, six revolutionaries, and electrifying victories at the MCG! 👌 💪𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹: Men of the moment – @ imVkohli… https://t.co/WogPjSY3f3
– BCCI (@BCCI) 1666587364000
“The best part of what I loved about him (doing it) is that we fought, brother. Because he was so special that we fought together.
“You would have played great shots, I would have been (in the flow) … This was special because we knew we had been fighting.”
The all-round star also played a crucial role with bat and ball in bringing India back to life.
Kohli and Hardik met when India was teetering at 31 out of four with India needing 129 83 balls against a high quality bowling attack.
Hardik talked about his mentality when he got in the middle.
(AFP photo)
“I felt a lot of pressure in the group. With all due respect, a lot of people in the big games (feel pressure) and (know) how important it is. We have all worked very hard as a collective and people are happy for each one.
“But to me, I don’t know, I was very numb today. Even when I got ashore, I was very happy and at first I was also talking to Rahul (Dravid), sir, I wouldn’t say he was tense but he said to me: ‘you have done a lot of things’, and ‘stay calm’ and all that.
“I had to tell him, ‘sir, please understand that I am happy to be here. Ten months ago, I was working in my space and I had no idea and this is where I wanted to be, irrelevant to what happens. Just happy to be here, I play with all the best cricketers in the world and they are my brothers “.
I would have taken a bullet for you at that moment: Hardik in Kohli
Hardik and Kohli ended up sharing a game by winning 113 points with 78 balls. The well-rounded star got excited as she recounted the sequence of events.
“The quality of the relationship I have with this group is something I care about and always care about. When I was coming in (to beat), I would have taken a bullet for you (Kohli) at that moment, I would not have let you out at that moment.
“My goal was simple: everything possible to make your life easier, because you have done it over the years in crucial games. Nobody is better at handling pressure than you,” Hardik said in his answer to a question from Kohli. .
