IND vs PAK: I Think It Has To Be India's Best Knock, Not Just Virat Kohli's Best Knock, Says Rohit Sharma After India Beat Pakistan In T20 World Cup 2022

Indian captain Rohit Sharma praised Virat Kohli‘s individual brilliance after the batting legend led Team India to a stunning victory against archrivals Pakistan in the T20 World Cup 2022 on Sunday.

In their tournament opener at the historic Melbourne Cricket Stadium, Rohit Sharma’s Team India faced Babar Azam’s Pakistan in a resumption of their storied rivalry (MCG). 

On the penultimate over of India’s remarkable comeback against Babar-led Pakistan on Sunday, Virat Kohli delivered a brilliant knock to enable Rohit and Co. beat the Green Army. Kohli smashed his 34th T20I half-century, continuing his excellent record in the limited-overs game and living up to his ‘Chasemaster’ moniker.

Rohit Sharma Hails Brilliant Effort From Virat Kohli

In the post-match news conference, Indian skipper Rohit remarked that Kohli’s match-winning inning was the best-ever knock that the previous India captain had played in his legendary career. 

Speaking to media following India’s four-wicket victory against Pakistan, Rohit asserted that Kohli played India’s finest T20I innings. “Yeah, I think it has to go – definitely his best for sure, but I think from the situation we were in, and to come out with a victory, I think it has to be India’s best knock, not just his best knock,” Rohit said. 

“Because until the 13th over (needing close to 100 runs), we were so behind in the game, and the required rate was just climbing up and up.

“But to come out and chase that score was an extremely brilliant effort from Virat, and then obviously Hardik (Pandya) played a role there, as well,” said Rohit, who became the most-capped Indian player in the T20 World Cup. 

In addition, Rohit said that Virat Kohli was not embracing a lean patch in the run-up to the T20 World Cup.

“Speaking about Virat, I honestly don’t think he was struggling with form or anything. He was batting as good as he was, but with him, the expectations are always so high that even if he gets a good 30 or 40, people tend to talk about it,” Rohit said. 

Virat Kohli Was In Good Space Right From The Asia Cup: Rohit Sharma

On the penultimate ball of the innings, Kohli hit 82 off 53 balls as India chased down the daunting score of 160. The 33-year-old was voted Player of the Match for his ferocious knockout of the 2009 world champs. With his hitting masterclass at the MCG, the batting legend also broke a slew of records. 

“From the team management’s perspective, I thought he was in good space right from the Asia Cup, where he got a month off and then he came back to Asia Cup.

“He was fresh, got a brilliant hundred there, got a couple of fifties if I’m not wrong. And then leading up to the World Cup, we know the quality that he has, and he’s done so well in these type of conditions in all three forms,” Rohit concluded. 

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