Rohit Sharma lauds 'extremely brilliant' Virat Kohli's MCG heroics against Pakistan

India stun their rivals with thrilling last-ball win in T20 World Cup in Melbourne

India's Virat Kohli scored an unbeaten 82 to secure victory against Pakistan in their T20 World Cup match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday, October 23, 2022. AP

India captain Rohit Sharma lifts Virat Kohli as they celebrate their win over Pakistan in the T20 World Cup in Melbourne. AFP

Virat Kohli guided India to victory over Pakistan in Melbourne on Sunday. AP

Virat Kohli secured a famous win for India against Pakistan. Getty

India's Virat Kohli, left, and Hardik Pandya starred in a century stand to clinch victory against Pakistan in Melbourne on Sunday. AP

India's Hardik Pandya scored a quick 40 and took three wickets in Melbourne on Sunday. AP

India's Virat Kohli scored one of the finest T20 innings in a chase against Pakistan in Melbourne. AFP

Fan attendance is shown on a giant at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. AP

Virat Kohli hit successive sixes in the penultimate over to set up victory. AP

Pakistan's Haris Rauf took the wicket of India captain Rohit Sharma in Melbourne on Sunday. AFP

Haris Rauf rocked India's top order with extreme pace. Getty

India opener KL Rahul is bowled by Pakistan quick Naseem Shah. AFP

Naseem Shah of Pakistan is congratulated by teammates after getting the wicket of KL Rahul at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Getty

Pakistan's Shan Masood held the innings together with a fine fifty. AFP

Pakistan's Shan Masood scored an unbeaten fifty against India in Melbourne. AFP

India's Hardik Pandya, right, reacts after dismissing Pakistan's Mohammad Nawaz. AP

Hardik Pandya took three wickets for India. AFP

A pitch invader runs onto the field at Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday. Getty

Pakistan's Iftikhar Ahmed celebrates reaching his fifty in Melbourne. AFP

Iftikhar Ahmed gave Pakistan's innings the impetus. Getty

India and Pakistan fans at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Getty

India's Arshdeep Singh, left, reacts after dismissing Pakistan's Mohammad Rizwan. AP

Rohit Sharma termed Virat Kohli’s extraordinary heist in the T20 World Cup against Pakistan in Melbourne one of India’s greatest ever innings.

Kohli made 82 not out to help take India to victory off the last delivery against their fierce rivals, in front of 90,293 spectators at the MCG.

“It is definitely his best for sure, but I also think, from the situation we were in and to come out with a victory, I think it has to be one of India’s best knocks,” Sharma, the India captain, said.

“Till the 13th over, we were so far behind the game. The required rate was just climbing up and up, so to come out and chase that score was an extremely brilliant effort from Virat.”

All appeared lost for India when they were 31-4 at the start of the seventh over.

Kohli and Hardik Pandya proceeded to put on 113 in the next 13 overs, while Kohli oversaw the pursuit of 28 from the last eight balls of the innings to win it.

“We always believe these guys can pull it off from this sort of situation,” Rohit said.

“Of course, it was not as easy situation. We required 62 in five overs, which is not an easy task, and with their bowling attack you would back those guys to get the job done.

“It was probably one of the best I have witnessed in terms of the partnership. Virat was brilliant.

“Those two sixes off Haris Rauf, that is where the game came back to us a little bit, because we always knew there was one over of spin left.

“In the dressing room, we were thinking if we can keep 15-18 runs for the last over, the guy is going to be under pressure to bowl that last over.

“[Nawaz] bowled that last over against us in the Asia Cup and Hardik played some shots against him. It is not easy bowling the last over when you are a spinner and there are only 15-18 runs to defend.

“It can play both ways. The pressure is always on the bowler in that type of situation.”