Virat Kohli played a remarkable innings during the T20 World Cup 2022 against Pakistan in Australia which has gone down in cricket folklore as one of the finest that the sport has ever witnessed.
His unbeaten knock of 82 runs, led his team to a thrilling victory over Pakistan by four wickets in Melbourne on October 23.
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The partnership between Kohli and Hardik Pandya was pivotal in India's victory. When the team needed 16 runs off the final over, Kohli played a key role, hitting a six on the fourth ball, which was declared a no-ball for being a high full-toss. Mohammad Nawaz then bowled a wide, and on the subsequent free hit, India took three runs. The Pakistan bowler faltered again, bowling a wide when India needed just two runs off two balls.
Later, Kohli took to Instagram to recall the special innings: "October 23rd 2022 will always be special in my heart. Never felt energy like that in a cricket game before. What a blessed evening that was."
How much money did Virat Kohli's gloves fetch during the auction?
The gloves that he wore for the match were auctioned during the Chappell Foundation Annual Dinner on September 13 at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
According to the Times of India, it fetched Rs 3.2 lakhs ($5750) during the auction which was conducted by Harv Kler.
After the match, Kohli told Star Sports: "I actually don’t know how to explain the feeling. Talking about some practical things, honestly, situation was very difficult when Hardik Pandya came to bat.
"I was just going through the innings, I was like just rotate the strike and hit an odd boundary here and there to keep the scoreboard moving. But Hardik kept pushing me and telling me ho jaayega, we bat deep ho jaayega. Then I found boundaries at the right time but still 50 off three overs and with Haris Rauf to bowl one over, I was thinking it’s going to be challenging.
"I told Hardik one thing if we attack Haris Rauf then Pakistan will start panic. When 28 runs were required from eight balls, then I was just backing myself to score two sixes otherwise we will lose the game."
What next for Virat Kohli?
Kohli has blown hot and cold in the ongoing Asia Cup. He was bowled for four in the first group stage game against Pakistan. However, he came back strongly and hit his 47th ODI hundred as he remained not out on 122 off 94 balls and helped India post a formidable total of 356/2 in 50 overs against the same opponents in the Super 4 match.
In the next match, Kohli got out fast against Sri Lanka after scoring just three runs in 12 balls. The man who scored a century just a day back against Pakistan got dismissed by Dunith Wellalage as his catch went straight to Dasun Shanaka.
Kohli was rested against Bangladesh but he will be back in action against Sri Lanka on Sunday in the Asia Cup final.
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