Vintage Kohli’s show was on display at the iconic Melbourne ground in ‘Mother of all Games’, giving India a victory in the high-voltage encounter that ended with an eventful last over.
Kohli scored a much more stable 82 of 53 with 4 sixes and 6 boundaries. Mohammad Nawaz was up for Pakistan in the last over to defend 16 runs, however, failed even after picking dangerous Hardik Pandya’s wicket on the first delivery. The thrill continued until the last bowl.
As Ravichandran Ashwin chipped successfully over the mid-off for four to seal the battle for the side. After losing early wickets Hardik and Kohli provided the much-needed stability by posting a decent partnership of 113 runs. The redemption of the 2021 T20 WC was expected on display in the nail-biting encounter that pushed fans on the edge.
Pakistani seamers stunned Indian batters while defending 159, however, could not stop Kohli’s show to turn the tide in their favor.
Batting first, Pakistan posted a decent total of 159 in the sea-saw-mannered first innings thanks to the heroic batting show by Iftikhar Ahmad and Shan Masood. Indian bowlers started on an absolute rampage dismissing the inform Pakistani openers.
However, the small moments in favor of Pakistan helped to post a fine total on board. Hardik and Arshdeep scalped three wickets each as Seamers presented a tough test for the Pakistani batters. Although they seemed much more comfortable against the spin today, where two spinners Axar Patel and Ravi Ashwin bowled 4 fours combined giving 44 runs in total.
Matches at MCG are always a treat to watch with its long boundaries and the flavor intensifies anywhere in the world when India is up against Pakistan. Hardik Pandya has ticked the bowling box all well releasing the load on the team’s premier bowlers.