A Rivalry for the Ages: India vs Pakistan & T20 World Cup

India and Pakistan in the T20 World Cup is action, thriller, drama & history all at once. Memories of October 23, 2022 when Virat Kohli pulled off a chase that will be etched in history as one of the greatest T20 performances. Fans around the globe, especially in the USA, were gearing up for IND Vs PAK at New York promising to be another thrilling chapter in this rivalry and they weren’t let down. When that was thrilling chase this was nail biting defend.

2022 Melbourne Magic: A Quick Recap

The scene was set at the Melbourne Cricket Ground: a packed stadium and millions glued to their screens. I had just came home for Diwali and was watching the match with my younger brother. As fans of Rohit Sharma, we also admired Kohli and Dhoni for their contributions to Indian cricket, especially during crucial moments. The top-order collapse, leaving India at 31 for 4 in the powerplay, was disheartening but unfortunately not unfamiliar in recent years.

As Hardik Pandya and Virat Kohli stood discussing strategies during the drinks break when scoreboard was 45 for 4 after 10 overs, a sense of panic set in. With half our hope already lost due to the equation, it was hard to stay optimistic. Yet, there was King Kohli, a ray of hope.

Pandya's two sixes off Nawaz in the 12th over started to shift the momentum. Hardik's aggression allowed Kohli to rotate the strike, ensuring he stayed till the end. The death over equation came to India needing 48 from 18 balls—a situation of the India vs Australia 2016 T20 World Cup match at Mohali when Kohli alongside Dhoni pulled off a miraculous chase needing 39 from 18 balls.

The Magic Unfolds : Shot of the Emperor

It all came down to 28 off 8 balls. The moment forever etched in my memory is when Kohli faced a back-of-the-hand slower ball and dispatched it over long-on for six. The crowd erupted, and we leaped from our seats, hugging each other in sheer joy. The six off the 18.5 ball is still celebrated as a moment of pure cricketing genius. The ICC rated it as the “Shot of the Century” during ICC CWC’23.

The final over began with 16 needed from 6 balls. Pandya got caught on the first ball, and once again, it was Kohli, the lone warrior, at the crease. It boiled down to needing 2 from 1 ball. Ash anna, with nerves of steel, left the ball for a wide, and then punched it over mid-off, sealing the victory. We were celebrating with tears in our eyes. I lost count on number of Whatsapp status and Instagram stories.

As Kohli said, "It’s a surreal atmosphere, I have no words, no idea how that happened. I am really lost of words" we felt it deeply. That match turned us from admirers into fans of Kohli. Kohli smashed an unbeaten 82 and it took me back to similar 82* against Australia at Mohali. Interesting that some coincidences keep repeating and some of that kept repeating in New York.

New York Nail biter

The rain delayed the match, but thankfully, no overs were lost, ensuring we wouldn't miss any action. Shaheen Afridi started with a delivery similar to the one that bowled Rohit Sharma in the 2021 T20 World Cup. But this time, Rohit, with a slight adjustment in footwork, kickstarted the action with a six. As a Rohit fan, that's the kind of moment you live for.

Virat Kohli then treated us to a classic cover drive, and I began preparing myself for another Kohli masterclass. However, just as quickly, he was dismissed softly, leaving me and many others in disbelief.

On the other hand, Rishabh Pant and Axar Patel ensured that India doesn’t go into a shell during the powerplay, consistently hitting boundaries. Pant, living on the edge with his risky shots, had hearts racing across India, especially when he survived a couple of chances.

The Middle Overs and Collapse

Mohammad Amir's dismissive gesture towards Suryakumar Yadav's wicket, hitting the ball into the ground with arrogance, stoked the desire for revenge within me. At 89-3 after 11 overs, I was anticipating a total around 170, even on a tricky pitch. However, a sudden collapse to 96-7 dashed those hopes. Pakistan started celebrations. Amir’s laughter at Arshdeep Singh’s defensive shot was short-lived, though, as Arshdeep managed to slog him for a four.

With the score at 96-7, my expectations dwindled. Lowkey, I hoped for at least 140. Hardik Pandya's dismissal in the deep brought that target down to 130. Then, Siraj's crucial doubles pushed the score to 119, giving Pakistan a target that was modest.

As fans, we brace ourselves for every twist and turn, knowing that in cricket, anything can happen. Whether it's the high of a well-timed six or the low of a quick succession of wickets, we live for these moments.

Defending low score

Hopes were high for Rohit Sharma and his team to defend a low total, even though 120 runs—a run-a-ball—seemed achievable for Pakistan. As an Indian fan, you have to believe. The pitch seemed to favor Pakistan's bowlers more than India's as there was hardly any help in second innings, and Dube dropping a sitter only added to the frustration.

The Turning Points

Panic set in as Pakistan progressed to 57-1 after 10 overs. Sitting in a dark room, the only light coming from the screen, I was anxious. I was missing my younger brother as he was in Pune and I was in Hyderabad. Post drinks, Axar Patel took a crucial wicket breaking partnership. Fakhar Zaman's arrival and subsequent boundaries made it seem like the match was slipping away, especially with Pakistan needing just 48 from 48 balls.

Hardik Pandya, after a brief chat with Rohit, executed a brilliant slower bouncer to Fakhar, which Rishabh Pant caught superbly. That was the real turning point.

The Clutch Moments

Jasprit Bumrah followed up with a perfect delivery, dismantling Mohammad Rizwan's stumps, which made the Indian crowd go wild. I was shouting Kohli's favorite words.

Every ball was a stress. Axar's one run over was as vital as his wicket and the 20 runs he contributed. Hardik's short ball strategy paid off again, getting rid of Shadab Khan, and Bumrah sealed the deal by dismissing Iftikhar Ahmed.

With Pakistan needing 18 off the last 6 balls, we clinched the match by 6 runs. Siraj's doubles in the final overs made the crucial difference. The joy of winning against Pakistan was visible on every Indian fan's face at Nassau Stadium and at home. Amir's face after the defeat was particularly satisfying, as revenge was sweetly fulfilled.

We won it, baby. God's plan, baby (In Rinku singh's voice)

Bumrah and Kohli, the GOATs, continue to be Pakistan's nightmares.

Both of them altered Win Predictor and against Pakistan.

The Emotional Rollercoaster

The match was an emotional rollercoaster. From the initial excitement of Rohit's six and Kohli’s classy cover drive to the anxiety of the middle-order collapse and the tense hope during the final overs, Pandya & Bumrah spell, every moment was filled with anticipation and drama. Matches like these remind us why we love cricket—its unpredictability and the sheer range of emotions it brings out in us.

As I said some coincidences keep repeating!

Now, we move on to the Super 8 phase, starting with a match against Afghanistan, who recently knocked the Blackcaps out of the World Cup. Our neighbors And then, it's India vs Australia. What the Head!

Jai Hind!

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