Kohli played a match-winning knock of 53-ball 82* against Pakistan in India's T20 World Cup opener.
Chasing 160 to win, the Men in Blue were in dire straits at 31/4 after 6.1 overs. Amid the pressure situation, Kohli rose to the occasion as he smashed 82* off 53 balls and shared a 113-run stand with Hardik Pandya (40 off 37 balls) to put India on the brink of victory, which was eventually sealed by R Ashwin on the last delivery of the match.
“Perhaps, it’s best to start with a feeling that I didn’t have when I was watching the greatest T20 knock by Virat: I wasn’t surprised. I was waiting for this to happen. I knew this would happen in Australia. Just check his record here – the pitches suit him plus he loves playing on these grounds and in front of the fans here. His record against Pakistan has always been good and it was a big situation: cometh the hour, cometh the stage, cometh the man,” Shastri told The Indian Express in an exclusive chat.
“I got emotional when it was all unfolding. I have seen what he has gone through in the last couple of years. We all know the recent context. Did I have something to say to him at the end? Frankly, not a thing. We are a country with short memories; topi masters of the world! We flip, change in two minutes. Kohli knows what I feel. I know what he feels. What’s there to be said? Not a thing,” he added.
With 48 needed off 18 balls, Virat Kohli wreaked havoc on the Pakistan bowlers as India accumulated 17 runs in the 18th over off Shaheen Afridi and 15 runs in the penultimate over off Haris Rauf.
Shastri lauded Kohli for his back-to-back sixes against Rauf, who has bowled superbly before that over.
“In all my years of playing and watching India vs Pakistan, those two sixes off Haris Rauf are two of the greatest shots played by an Indian batsman. The only comparison is Sachin Tendulkar’s six off Shoaib Akhtar in Centurion in 2003 World Cup. These are two of the greatest cricketers of our time. Tendulkar’s knock had some of the magnificent shots played in white-ball cricket against Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Shoaib Akhtar. And then this Kohli knock. These two are the biggest knocks I have seen where quality fast bowling has been taken apart,” he remarked.
According to Ravi Shastri, the one-month break before the Asia Cup 2022 did wonders for Kohli, who was enduring an extended lean patch with the bat.
“When I saw Kohli struggle in the IPL, I felt he needed a break. That’s why I strongly felt he needed a break. I am a doctor’s son after all!” he stated.
“He had the opportunity for a month to see within and reflect. When he came back for the Asia Cup, I wasn’t bothered about foot movement or any such. I was only looking for the body language. I saw composure and calmness. I knew he was on the right track. Just as he was in the game last night,” he further said.
While questions were raised over Kohli's ability to win games lately, Shastri had never doubted the former captain.
“For the cricketing world, he was a superstar even before the knock; now let them decide what he is to them. I am not going to put in words for them.
“What’s next for Virat Kohli? I have no expectations, just let him enjoy his life. The media and critics have put enough pressure on this uncut diamond and he showed who he is. Chup kar diya na sabko?! (He has silenced everyone, right?!),” he concluded.
(The Indian Express inputs)