Virat Kohli transcends the confines of sport in an India vs Pakistan classic

Virat Kohli (Source Twitter)

India - Pakistan clashes have a propensity of throwing up stellar extravaganzas and Sunday’s humdinger at the Melbourne Cricket Ground was no different.

With their backs against the wall, the Indian team churned out a relentless run-chase classic to leave the 90,293 attendees entranced. 

Pakistan managed to overcome a difficult start to post a target of 160 on the board and it was never going to be a walk in the park for the Men in Blue. The triumvirate of Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf flattened the Indian top-order to leave them under the cosh.

What ensued was the genesis of an innings from Virat Kohli of cosmic proportions. The former Indian skipper took the game by the scruff of the neck and decided he wasn’t going to end up on the losing side. 

With his team under extensive pressure, having lost four wickets for just 31 runs, Kohli needed to come up with a herculean effort and he did just that. 

Virat Kohli was the star of the show against Pakistan (Source: Twitter)

The batting maverick laid the foundations of an unparalleled run-chase brick-by-brick. As the asking rate crept higher, Kohli’s meticulous planning helped India stay in the game. When the boundaries dried up, the 33-year-old resorted to quick singles and twos to keep the scoreboard ticking. 

To the onlookers, it may not have seemed like the ideal approach at the time. Even Pakistan were not too vexed with the way the Indian innings was panning out. 

In a game of cricket, things can change rapidly and that is exactly what happened when Kohli and Hardik Pandya switched gears midway through the innings. 

Kohli smacked his first six of the game in the 12th over against Mohammad Nawaz as he danced down the track and launched the ball straight back over the non-striker’s head. It was a sign of things to come. 

The duo of Kohli and Pandya scourged the likes of Shadab Khan, Naseem and Shaheen in the following overs to perpetuate India’s charge.  

Kohli’s onslaught reached a crescendo in the 18th over when he smacked a length ball from Haris Rauf with an almost straight bat to send the ball sailing into the crowd, over the bowler’s head. He followed it up with another maximum - a flick of the wrists and the ball disappeared into the crowd.

Pakistan were not just battling the Indian batsmen at this stage. They were up against the visceral reaction and the primal energy of thousands within the MCG, channeled by Kohli’s boundless charisma. 

Virat Kohli churns out a career-best performance (Source: Twitter)

From then on, it was always going to be a losing battle for the Men in Green. Late blips from Pandya and Dinesh Karthik were expunged as India roared their way to the target in the final ball of the innings. 

Kohli’s 82* from 53 balls wasn’t just a masterclass in batting. It was a life lesson of sorts. The Indian hotshot inspired millions on a humane-level with his innate belief, infectious persona and strength in adversity. 

Virat Kohli’s genius finally transcended the confines of sport. It was life affirming. 

Also Read: 'No idea how that happened' - Kohli speaks on his ethereal innings