India and Pakistan went head-on in their first match of the 20-20 World Cup 2022 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The encounter was expected to be a thriller, and it delivered. Rohit Sharma called it right at the toss and decided to take advantage of the overcast conditions by bowling first.
To everyone’s joy, this plan worked well as Arshdeep Singh delivered two important wickets in his first spell. Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, the in-form batters, were dismissed within the first four overs. However, Ifthikar Ahmed and Shan Masood took some pressure off and put on a crucial partnership of 71 runs.
The former started to attack from the 11th over and completed his half-century. He was finally dismissed by Mohammed Shami in the 13th over at a team score of 91 runs. After that, India bounced back and disrupted the Pakistani batting lineup. Hardik Pandya took three wickets, Bhuvneshwar Kumar got one, and Arshdeep got one more. In the end, Masood’s well-deserved half-century helped Pakistan set a target of 160 runs.
India got off to the worst possible start in the chase, losing a few early wickets. KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma, and Suryakumar Yadav were dismissed for a team score of just 26 runs within the powerplay. Their problems continued as Axar Patel was dismissed in a controversial run out.
Virat Kohli and Hardik Pandya hold their nerves in the chase
After that, Virat Kohli and Hardik Pandya put on a brilliant show to get the team back in the game. They both scored important runs and played well. They were both looking to rotate the strike and score boundaries off loose deliveries. In doing so, they were able to reduce the score to 31 runs in the final two overs.
The former Indian captain then hit two sixes on the final two deliveries of the 19th over to bring the score to 16 in the final over. After Pandya was out on the first delivery of the final over, Dinesh Karthik took the strike. He gave Kohli the strike on the next ball.
The star performer then hit a six on a no-ball to get the equation down to six runs in the last three balls. Nawaz then bowled a wide. Virat was bowled on a free hit and managed three runs off it, so the match was full of drama. Karthik was stumped on the second-to-last delivery, adding to the drama.
In the end, Nawaz bowled a wide and Ashwin held his nerves to hit the ball over the fielder on the last ball to take his team through. India managed a 4-wicket victory over Pakistan in an extremely close encounter. Virat Kohli deservingly was named Player of the Match after scoring 82 runs in 53 balls.
Here is how Twitter reacted to India’s win
VIRAT KOHLI YOU ARE THE GREATEST pic.twitter.com/09tbFF4h2R
— Cheeku. (@primeKohli) October 23, 2022
What a player Virat Kohli is. He mastered this chase under immense pressure – 82 unbeaten off 53 balls. #IndvPak
— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) October 23, 2022
Virat Kohli is the Diwali Winner ????. Whattey Blockbuster Game??. Give that Trophy & end the Tournament now. You will not get another match like this.#INDvPAK pic.twitter.com/5GQslzLhqa
— Rathna kumar (@MrRathna) October 23, 2022
How it's Started How It's Ended pic.twitter.com/eJiJXOU6Qw
— ???? ?? ????????? (@ok_uk_) October 23, 2022
As good a game as I can remember seeing in T20 cricket .. Both teams bring so much .. 90 thousand at the G .. UNBELIEVABLE .. #INDvPAK #Virat?
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) October 23, 2022
That was incredible entertainment ?#INDvPAK Pakistan won’t believe they’ve lost that but that was pretty special finishing from Kohli & India. MCG looked some atmosphere ??
— Stuart Broad (@StuartBroad8) October 23, 2022
Not a Kohli fan, but that was insane. Champion #INDvPAK
— kevin munro (@Wobbler67) October 23, 2022
The man the myth the legend is back! : King Kohli wins it for India #INDvPAK pic.twitter.com/q8lARPlUV3
— Azzam Ameen (@AzzamAmeen) October 23, 2022
#INDvPAK
Virat
Virat
Aapko dilse salam Virat
India jindabad@imVkohli— it'sthriller4u (@MOHDHANIKHAN1) October 23, 2022
Yessss get in ?? #INDvPAK
— harjyot bains (@bainsharjyot) October 23, 2022
