It might be 48 hours since the epic encounter against Pakistan played out, but the fans still not cannot stop buzzing. Virat Kohli played a monumental knock to stay unbeaten on 82 as guided India home to a last ball win with 4 wickets to spare. This was the perfect revenge by the Indian team for their loss against Pakistan last year during the 2021 T20 World Cup by ten wickets.
The story as it happened –
India were given a target of 160 to win, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf got the wickets of Rahul, Rohit Sharma and Surya Kumar Yadav. Left handed spinning all rounder Axar Patel was promoted up the order but he was run out under controversial circumstances. This left India at 31/4 with yet another defeat on the horizon, that’s when Pandya and Kohli came together.
Pandya’s reaction to Kohli’s six –
With 2 overs to go, India needed 32 to win and that equation bowled down to 28 off 8 with Rauf giving 4 off 4. Rauf bowled one on a length as Kohli went to the back foot and hit Rauf over his head for a huge six. This shot was lauded by one and all for the amazing timing and power behind it.
A fan posted a video of the reaction by Hardik Pandya post the 6 was hit. Pandya was seen hands on his head and bowled down in disbelief as the ball travelled far and wide. There was huge commotion and uproar in the Indian fans as the next ball too went for a six over square leg and India needed a rather gettable 16 off 6 balls with the last over to be bowled by Mohammad Nawaz.
Pandya’s huge role in the win –
Hardik Pandya played a crucial role for India with 3 wickets with the ball during the Pakistan innings. Pandya then added over 100 runs with Kohli for the 5th wicket when India were 31 and 4. It was Pandya who began the assault on the Pakistani bowlers with sixes and fours. Pandya scored 40 crucial runs before falling in the 1stm ball of the final over.
Twitter reacts –
The unseen reaction from Pandya had the fans buzzing and you can read all their reactions in the form of tweets embedded down below.
The reaction from Hardik Pandya represents whole cricket fans across the world after the shot from Virat Kohli. pic.twitter.com/aGHwKEe0EN
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) October 24, 2022
Won’t forget that straight 6 from Kohli to Rauf for the rest of my days I think.
— Dave (@CricketDave27) October 23, 2022
28 needed off 8 in that game situation against Haris Rauf in top form at the MCG and he plays a highlight reel shot you go to sleep dreaming of playing. Was the moment I was sure he’s doing it again
I will never, for as long as I live, forget those two sixes off Haris Rauf in the 19th over. That's just PlayStation cricket by Kohli, against all odds, against everything we think we know about cricket. GOAT stuff.
— Rahul Desai (@ReelReptile) October 23, 2022
There are only a select few players who can take down an in-form Rauf at the MCG. Kohli is one of them.
— Alagappan Vijayakumar (@IndianMourinho) October 23, 2022
20 times, Haris Rauf bowled 19th over in T20I format
— 𝑺𝒉𝒆𝒃𝒂𝒔 (@Shebas_10dulkar) October 23, 2022
Today is 1st time, He Conceded Two 6s
Courtesy : King Kohli 💥#INDvsPAK
"Virat Kohli's shot against Haris Rauf, this is the shot of the year." - Venkatesh Prasad
— CricketMAN2 (@ImTanujSingh) October 23, 2022
Hard to believe there will be a better shot at this T20 World Cup than Kohli's straight six off Haris Rauf to the penultimate ball of that 19th over
— Simon Wilde (@swildecricket) October 23, 2022
That Virat Kohli punch for 6 on Haris Rauf will go down in History as one of the most iconic moments. How we remember Sachin's uppercut on Shoaib, same will be done for this piece of genius. Never ever doubt him. Best fucking batsman in the fucking world. King Kohli. 🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳
— Drog BABA (@TheDrogBABA) October 23, 2022
For understandable reasons, there has been a lot of focus on Kohli vs Rauf. However, the pull off Shaheen in the over before that was not an option for many batters in this venue.
— Alagappan Vijayakumar (@IndianMourinho) October 23, 2022
Look at the size of that boundary and he almost cleared it.