IND vs PAK: 'Those Two Shots Will Live In My Memory' - Ian Smith In Awe Of Virat Kohli's Two Sixes Off Haris Rauf's Bowling

Virat Kohli received high appreciation from former New Zealand cricketer Ian Smith for his superb performance against Pakistan on Sunday at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

India defeated their bitter rivals by four wickets in the T20 World Cup 2022 Super 12 game with Kohli’s undefeated 82-run innings.

Smith cited Kohli’s strokes off Haris Rauf in the last over as particularly noteworthy. When Kohli struck the Pakistani bowler for two back-to-back sixes with eight balls remaining and 28 runs needed to win, the target was reduced to 16 runs in the final over.

Virat Kohli Is A Genius Because Of The Way He Plays: Ian Smith

Beginning with a downtown drive that cleared the far boundary, Kohli then skillfully flicked his bat over the ropes. The Men in Blue didn’t look back after that and continued to win the game.

“I listened to the first part of his interview and he said ‘I’m lost for words. I think that demonstrates to all of us that he thinks it’s very special, he thinks it’s right up there because of the occasion and atmosphere. If it’s not in the top 3, I’d be very very surprised,” Smith was quoted as saying in the ICC review.

“The way he finished, the shots he played kneeling down and punching the pitch to release the pressure that he had on himself. In the end, it’s ironic because he didn’t have the last say, and it was Ravi Ashwin,” he stated.

“Kohli is a genius because of the way he plays, because of the way he has worked the game out and he knows exactly what to do, when to do and push the go button. He hit two shots with two overs to go, one over the bowlers’ head off the backfoot, a big shot at the MCG.

“Then he forced the bowler to adjust, after which he flicked it away over fine leg for six. Those two shots will live in my memory in terms of the contest,” Smith added.

After KL Rahul was out, Kohli stepped up to the plate and played all the way through. Along with Hardik Pandya, he also put together a 113-run stand for the fifth wicket.

In addition, Virat Kohli, 33, went on to earn Player of the Match for his outstanding performance under pressure.

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