India vs Australia: Who said what, World reacts after India seal World T20 semi-final place by beating Australia
Another Virat Kohli masterclass helped India beat Australia by six wickets in Mohali and seal their berth in the semi-final on Thursday against West Indies. After winning the toss and electing to bat, Australia finished on 160/6 but an unbeaten 82 from Kohli saw India home with five balls to spare.
Also read: India vs Australia World T20 2016 Highlights: Virat Kohli does it again
After getting to 50 off just 22 balls, the visitors would have been disappointed at having just scored 160, but despite losing both openers, Kohli saw India home as he marshalled the perfect run chase.
Dhoni kept me calm: Kohli
Virat Kohli was the man of the match and this is what he said: "I would like to thank the crowd, it was unbelieveable, the support helps you push through those tough times. You need challenges in every game, they improve you as a cricketers. I don't know what to say, I am overwhelmed by.
“Yuvi had a good partnership and then MS kept me calm … We have always run well, we have an understanding, that's why you train in the gym, you have those fitness regimes, that paid off today. This innings has to be in my top three, perhaps the top right now because I'm a bit emotional."
Indian captain MS Dhoni: "It was a tough score, they got 60 runs in the first six overs ... the middle overs were tough, it was difficult to hit the ball from back of a length, especially against the spinners ... we felt if we run well in the middle overs we had a chance.
“It's not the first time I've enjoyed it, he's been playing brilliantly or the last few years, he has kept improving his game, he is very hungry to score runs for the team. the others have to step up now, can't keep relying on him, the others are contributing but we need to step up.
“Running is a key aspect in modern cricket, if you can take singles against the best fielders, or make a single into the double, the lesser fielders get under pressure ... more than endurance you need explosive power, because there is ample time for rest."
Australian captain Steve Smith: "That was a pretty serious innings there, under pressure. He hit it right out of the middle and he's done it for a long time. Virat played an unbelievable knock ... I think 160 was around par, it just took an unbelievable innings to get India over the line.”
Here are the reactions from the cricketing fraternity:
Tributes were pouring in for Virat Kohli, who was the mastermind of another chase:
Sachin Tendulkar:
Woooow @imVkohli ...special it was... Great win, fighting all the way! #IndvsAus
— sachin tendulkar (@sachin_rt) March 27, 2016
England international Harry Kane:
Virat Kohli is some player!In the high pressure situations shows what type of player you are and he does it time and time again! #IndvsAus
— Harry Kane (@HKane) March 27, 2016
Anil Kumble:
Genius @imVkohli! What a knock! #IndvsAus #WT20 #AKLive
— Anil Kumble (@anilkumble1074) March 27, 2016
Andrew Flintoff:
At this rate @imVkohli will be as good as @root66 one day ! Not sure who @englandcricket will meet in the final now !
— andrew flintoff (@flintoff11) March 27, 2016
Shane Warne:
Wow, that was absolute class from Virat.Congrats India on your win. Congrats to @ShaneRWatson33 on a wonderful career, hold your head high
— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) March 27, 2016
Russel Arnold:
He is an unbelievable Player !!! He is many cuts above the rest.. Composure was amazing ..Kohli you beauty #WT20 only the Win Predictor knew
— Russel Arnold (@RusselArnold69) March 27, 2016
Mitchell Johnson was made to eat humble pie:
Well to be fair, he definitely stepped it up for this T 20 World Cup. Too good in the end
— Mitchell Johnson (@MitchJohnson398) March 27, 2016
Checking my phone to see the Ind v Aus T20 match........well done to India and probably going to be a Ind v NZ final
— Mitchell Johnson (@MitchJohnson398) March 27, 2016
Scott Styris:
Kohli is in a different league
— Scott Styris (@scottbstyris) March 27, 2016
Murali Kartik:
Sheer Genius at work .. How good is he Virat Kohli... Take a Big Bow
— Kartik Murali (@kartikmurali) March 27, 2016
Graeme Smith:
Man I'm enjoying this batting @imVkohli #T20WorldCup #IndvsAus #kohli
— Graeme Smith (@GraemeSmith49) March 27, 2016
Michael Vaughan:
No shame in being beaten by a Genius @CricketAus ... @imVkohli is a freak ... Bloody love T20 Cricket ... #INDvAUS
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) March 27, 2016
After the initial onslaught, many feared the worst for India.
Murali Kartik:
Ominous signs, looks like India are going to be chasing a very big one, nothing going indias way at the moment.. Australia in with a plan
— Kartik Murali (@kartikmurali) March 27, 2016
Former England captain Michael Vaughan:
Have India ever chased down 250 before ??? #ICCWT20
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) March 27, 2016
Brian Lara:
Big game and Aus hold the advantage after first 6 overs 60 for 1 but India can still stem the flow of runs and 175 would b a job well done.
— Brian Lara (@BrianLara) March 27, 2016
But as the bowlers brought the game back, opinions began to change, Anil Kumble:
India have pulled back well. Set up for a great chase down.#IndvsAus #WT20 #AKLive
— Anil Kumble (@anilkumble1074) March 27, 2016
James Taylor was one of the few Englishmen going for an Indian win:
I reckon India are chasing this down!! It would be nice to see the hosts go through! #WT20 #IndvsAus
— James Taylor (@jamestaylor20) March 27, 2016
Legendary Australian spinner Shane Warne:
160 is a touch above par. India did well to pull it back after 4 overs, but this track is low, slow & tough to score. First 6 overs the key
— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) March 27, 2016
Subramaniam Badrinath:
Not the easiest track,a very decent score after an exhilarating innings,pacing the chase is going to be crucial for #TeamIndia #INDvAUS
— subramani badrinath (@s_badrinath) March 27, 2016
Aakash Chopra:
It's not about how you start but how you finish...well done, #Ind for bouncing back. Let's get the job done #DimagSay #Bing #IndvsAus
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) March 27, 2016
Many agreed that Virat Kohli was key, Michael Vaughan:
If @imVkohli gets a 50 @BCCI win.... If he doesn't they lose IMO ... #JustSaying #ArseNipper #INDvAUS
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) March 27, 2016
Tom Moody:
The game is still India's while @imVkohli is in the middle! #INDvsAUS #WT20
— Tom Moody (@TomMoodyCricket) March 27, 2016
Mohammad Kaif:
All Eyes on Kohli once again..!
— Mohammad Kaif (@KaifSays) March 27, 2016
Australian women's cricketer Alyssa Healy:
If Kohli gets India out of this one he's a genius.... even Yuvraj is working against him!!
— Alyssa Healy (@ahealy77) March 27, 2016