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Virat Kohli pulls off MCG miracle as India clinches famous T20 World Cup victory over Pakistan

There were 90,293 spectators at the MCG on Sunday, but hundreds of millions around the world witnessed Virat Kohli pull off a miracle.

Nic SavageNic Savage
@nic_savage1
4 min read
October 24, 2022 - 8:34AM
T20 World Cup: Kohli heroics lead India to famous win

Virat Kohli has pulled off a miracle in Melbourne.

There were 90,293 exultant spectators at the MCG on Sunday evening, but hundreds of millions around the world witnessed the cricket phenom guide India to a thrilling final-ball victory over Pakistan in their T20 World Cup opener.

The Pakistanis were seemingly cruising towards victory before Kohli flicked a switch in the 11th over of the run chase, scoring 70 runs from his final 32 deliveries to help India chase the 160-run target in dramatic scenes.

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India needed 16 runs from the last over, with spinner Ravichandran Ashwin nonchalantly punching the final delivery over mid-off to secure the unforgettable win.

The sold-out contest was touted as the tournament’s marquee fixture, but will be remembered as one of the biggest sporting events of the year.

“I honestly have no words,” Player of the Match Kohli said in the post-match presentation.

“I have no idea how that happened.

“I just feel like this was meant to be. This was a very special moment.”

Virat Kohli of India. Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images
Virat Kohli of India. Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

The final over, delivered by Pakistani tweaker Mohammad Nawaz, could only be described as pure chaos.

After dismissing Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya, Nawaz conceded three runs from his next two deliveries to make the scenario 13 runs required from three balls, with Kohli on strike.

But Nawaz tossed up a waist-high full toss, which Kohli promptly smacked over the square leg boundary for a six, his fourth of the evening.

Controversially, umpires Rod Tucker and Marias Erasmus deemed the delivery to be a no-ball, meaning India suddenly needed seven runs from three deliveries with a free hit to come.

Pakistan captain Babar Azam argued profusely with the umpires to no avail.

Nawaz followed up with a wide and a well-directed yorker that crashed into Kohli’s stumps and ricocheted towards deep third man.

But because the delivery was a free hit, Kohli wasn’t out, and the batters quickly scampered through for three precious byes. Two runs were then required off two balls.

Indian wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik was stumped the following delivery, bringing Ashwin to the crease with two runs needed off the final ball.

And in yet another twist, Nawaz’s next delivery slid down the leg side for an agonising wide, tying the scores. Ashwin then kept his composure to score the winning runs with a classy off-drive.

Pure ecstasy for India, utter heartbreak for Pakistan.

Pakistan captain Babar Azam complains with the umpires. Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images
Pakistan captain Babar Azam complains with the umpires. Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

The MCG erupted in rapturous cheers, with countless Indian flags flying over a sea of blue as an emotional Kohli embraced his stunned teammates.

Chants of “Kohli” echoed around the iconic venue as the 33-year-old exited the field following arguably the best innings of his international career.

“Until today I’ve always said Mohali was always my best innings, against Australia,” Kohli said after the four-wicket victory.

“I think today I will count this one higher because of the magnitude of the game and what the situation was. It seemed impossible, but Hardik kept pushing me in that partnership and we just went deep and it just happened.”

Pakistan, who registered 8/159 in the first innings, should have won the match.

The Indians at one stage required 48 runs from the last three overs, at which point the fielding side were firm favourites, but some ill-disciplined bowling at the death and a vintage Kohli masterclass flipped the script.

Earlier, Shan Masood and Iftikhar Ahmed combined for a 76-run partnership for the third wicket, each scoring half-centuries as Pakistan posted a defendable total in the Victorian capital.

Indian seamer Arshdeep Singh dismissed batting superstar Azam with his first delivery of the tournament, trapping the rival skipper on the pads for a golden duck.

Singh finished with 3/32 from his four overs, while Pandya also contributed three wickets.

There were 90,293 spectators at the MCG. Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images
There were 90,293 spectators at the MCG. Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

India’s run chase started poorly, with captain Rohit Sharma and opening partner KR Rahul both dismissed for 4 during the Powerplay.

Soon after, Suryakumar Yadav and Axar Patel fell in quick succession to leave India reeling at 4/31 in the seventh over.

But Kohli and Pandya combined for a game-changing 113-run partnership for the fifth wicket, reviving India’s innings and setting up an epic finale.

Cricket fans took to the streets in Sydney to celebrate the remarkable triumph, while Flinders Station in Melbourne was flooded with dancing and singing Indian supporters.

No doubt there were similar scenes back in the sub-continent.

Cricket world reacts to instant classic

Sharma, playing in his eighth T20 World Cup tournament, labelled Kohli’s innings one of the best for India in cricket history.

“He used his experience more than anything else, staying calm under pressure, and we know how good he is when the score is in front of him,” the Indian captain said.

“Definitely his best for sure, but I think from the situation we were in and to come out with victory, I think it has to be one of India’s best knocks, not just his best.

“We were so behind in the game and the required rate was just climbing up and up, but to chase that score was an extremely brilliant effort from Virat.”

Veteran broadcaster Harsha Bhogle said on commentary: “You look at all the great wins over the years and I think you’ll find very, very few to compare with this one.

“This game was gone, Virat Kohli pulled it back. What a champion, what an absolute champion he is.

“This must be heartbreaking for Pakistan.

“I think I’m spotting a tear in Virat Kohli’s eyes. I’ve seen Virat Kohli play for so many years, I’ve seen some of his best innings but I’ve not seen a tear in his eye and I think I spotted a tear.”


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Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/sport/cricket/virat-kohli-pulls-of-mcg-miracle-as-india-clinches-famous-t20-world-cup-victory-over-pakistan/news-story/33f96ad14169598f91796c1b0e5b5b1d