Former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh heaped praise on Virat Kohli after he scored a masterpiece knock of unbeaten 82 runs off just 53 balls against Pakistan in one of the most iconic matches of all time in the history of the T20 format.
While chasing 160, India was under the pump at 31-4 when Kohli and Hardik Pandya held the fort. Both the batters added a crucial alliance of 113 runs to keep India in the contest but it was Virat Kohli who changed gears at the fag end of the innings.
28 runs were needed off the last eight balls and all hope was almost lost but Virat Kohli was able to turn the corner with two sixes against Haris Rauf.
Harbhajan feels Kohli was able to justify the tag of chase master with his incredible knock. The talisman has scored 488 runs in 10 T20I innings against Pakistan at an average of 81.33 and a strike rate of 123.85, including five fifties.
Harbhajan Singh said while talking to Sports Tak, “Virat Kohli played the same way we have seen him play in the last 10 years or so. He justified the tag of chase master with his performance against Pakistan.”
He added: “There have also been a lot of expectations from him. While he hadn’t fulfilled those in a few matches lately, we saw him do that yesterday, and that too, when it was needed the most.”
India went on to win the thrilling contest by four wickets and Harbhajan added that the team gave a perfect pre-Diwali gift to its fans.
“It was a big win, and the celebrations in India have doubled amid the Diwali festivities. There is a smile on everyone’s face as Team India gave their fans a pre-Diwali gift.”
“It seemed as if Diwali was yesterday, looking at the number of crackers that people burst after the victory. I can’t express in words the happiness this win has given us. There was a lot of rush on the roads, and everyone was hugging each other.”
It was a perfect start for the Indian team and they will look to continue the good show. India will next take on the Netherlands at the SCG on Thursday.
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