ICC World T20 2016: Virat Kohli explains his celebration after his fifty against Pakistan
India beat Pakistan for the 11th time in World Cups thanks to another Virat Kohli masterclass in the run-chase. After reaching his 14th T20I fifty and breaking a world record in the process, Kohli performed a unique celebration as he bowed with both his hands towards the crowd.
Also read: India vs Pakistan T20 2016 Highlights: Virat Kohli chases for India once again [Video]
Speaking after the game, Kohli explained that the reason behind the celebration was none other than legendary Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar.
“It is very difficult to explain that feeling because I started playing cricket, watching him, because of him and seeing him in the stands and to be able to do that in front of 90,000 people, against Pakistan in a crucial match and with him celebrating and getting happy, I can't explain that feeling,” said Kohli.
The Indian Test captain also added that the feeling of playing well in front of him and winning matches is simply “not describable”.
“As a child, I have seen him do that for India and now I have the opportunity to do that in front of him, so it is a feeling that is not describable,” he added.
Although India were only chasing 119, they still needed another Kohli masterclass to ensure that India got their first win of the current edition of the World T20. Having lost the opening game to New Zealand, India knew that nothing less than a win would do against Pakistan.
After winning the toss and electing to bowl first, India’s spinners did what they do best on a track that was providing plenty of assistance to the spinners. They managed to restrict the visitors to just 118 but that could have been even fewer had the spinners had more overs to bowl.
But in the chase, it was the Kohli show as Rohit Sharma got out early and it was the right-hander who is on fire in the calendar year that stole the show once again. He scored his 14th T20I fifty and increased his already impressive average in the format.
On a pitch that batsmen were struggling on, Kohli’s innings showed that he might be quite literally batting on another pitch. His crunching cover drives off both the spinner and the fast bowler ensured that a tricky chase was converted into a rather simple one.
In the end, although it was Dhoni that scored the winning runs, it was Kohli's ability to win matches on his own that Indian fans will be more happy about.