- By Manik Sharma
- Mon, 23 Oct 2023 03:41 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
How often has the cricketing world witnessed 'King Kohli' effortlessly chasing down imposing totals as if they were mere formalities? Keeping track has proven to be a challenge for the statisticians, that is the level of dominance the Indian star has displayed in the realm of limited-overs cricket.
Virat Kohli holds the record for the highest number of ODI runs in successful run-chases, amassing 5,786 runs in 102 matches with a staggering average of 90.40. Exactly one year ago, the world witnessed the same Kohli delivering an extraordinary performance in a different format while chasing in the innings that will undoubtedly go down as one of the finest ever played in cricket history.
In a thrilling T20 World Cup match in Melbourne in 2022, Kohli pulled off a sensational run chase against arch-rivals Pakistan, scoring 82 runs in 53 balls. It all began with Pakistan posting 159 runs in their 20 overs, with notable contributions from Shan Masood and Iftikhar Ahmed. India's Arshdeep Singh and Hardik Pandya played crucial roles in restricting Pakistan's innings to a par total.
However, India's chase did not start well, with early dismissals of Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul. Suryakumar Yadav also departed early, leaving India at 4 for 31 in 6.1 overs. The pressure was on, but the dependable Kohli and Pandya teamed up to stabilise the innings.
Kohli's magical performance started to unfold as he defied the Pakistan fast-bowling attack and guided India towards safety. Their partnership of 113 runs for the 4th wicket kept India in the hunt, but the early setbacks had made it challenging to keep up with the required run rate.
As the match approached its climax, Kohli displayed his class. In the 18th over, he took on Shaheen Afridi, hitting three boundaries and reducing the required runs to 31 from 12 balls. Despite a tense moment in the 19th over, Kohli managed to hit two incredible sixes, leaving India needing 16 runs from the final over. Who can possibly forget that moment when Kohli sent Haris Rauf's delivery sailing over long-on for a six with a perfectly executed straight bat, effortlessly clearing the sight screen in the most pressure-packed situation?
The match lived up to the expectations of an India vs Pakistan contest, with a nail-biting finish. Despite Hardik Pandya's early dismissal in the last over, Kohli remained composed and hit another six to secure the victory. The atmosphere at the Melbourne Cricket Ground was surreal, and Indian cricket fans witnessed one of Kohli's finest T20I performances.
Kohli's magical knock was not forgotten, and a year later, he produced another special innings, helping India defeat New Zealand in a World Cup 2023 match. With a score of 95, he almost reached his 49th ODI hundred, propelling India to the top of the points table.