Sunday witnessed another nerve-wrecking Pakistan versus India cricket match that kicked off the T20 World Cup being held at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Offering its fair share of ups and downs, the match concluded with a classic blow to Pakistan, sparking numerous questions.
The green shirts lost despite putting up a tough fight while boys in blue wished their fellow countrymen a Happy Diwali with a victory worth the books. India registered a dramatic four-wicket win after chasing down a 160-run target in exactly 20 overs, with Ravichandran Ashwin hitting the winning runs on the final ball of the match. The opener also saw Kohli’s best performance in a long while, as the batsman remained undefeated at 82 runs off of 53 deliveries.
Since the match, numerous users and public figures – both Indian and Pakistani – have been praising Kohli’s astounding comeback, including renowned actor Anushka Sharma, who was “dancing around, screaming wildly” in her house, as per her social media note. Many have also expressed their outrage at certain umpiring decisions that were made in the final over of the match, including some celebrities.
All hail Kohli
Sharma put up a heartwarming note in awe of his performance. She called it the “best innings of his life.” In an Instagram post, she wrote, “You, beauty! You freaking beauty! You have brought so much joy into people's lives tonight, that too on the eve of Diwali! You are a wonderful man. Your grit, determination and belief are mind-boggling! I have just watched the best match of my life I can say. Our daughter is too small to understand why her mother was dancing around and screaming wildly in the room, but one day she will understand her dad played his best innings that night following a tough phase.”
Former Pakistan pacer Wasim Akram speaking on A Sports called Kohli an alien among humans, and highlighted his immense contribution to Team India in the last 15 years. "Aliens do walk among us, he's one of the best I've seen in the recent or modern greats. He has been scoring for the last 15 years, and he has the best average while chasing," the ex-cricketer said.
Mohammad Hafeez, former Pakistan all-rounder, Wahab Riaz, and Shoaib Malik also appreciated Kohli for his knock. “What a game of cricket we have just witnessed,” remarked Malik in a tweet. “This guy, Virat Kohli is an absolute beast. You cannot compare his class to any other player in the world in white ball cricket. He can anchor, he rotates the strike, he can hit sixes and he knows how to finish the game!” he added.
- What a Game of cricket we've just witnessed & this guy Virat Kohli is absolutely a Beast!!
— Shoaib Malik 🇵🇰 (@realshoaibmalik) October 23, 2022
You can not compare his class to any other player in the world in white ball cricket. He can anchor, he rotates the strike, he can hit sixes and he knows how to finish the Game! pic.twitter.com/Ed349p0840
Singer Asim Azhar even got a T-shirt signed by Kohli and tweeted a picture of the same, alongside a picture of himself rubbing shoulders with the star batsman. “I was always a fan of your cricket, but now I am a bigger fan of the person you are. Thank you for your time and kindness,” he wrote.
Actor Adnan Siddiqui chimed in, “It was not a match but a thriller. Kept us on tenterhooks till the finish. Kudos to both the teams for such an entertainer and Kohli, you are a class apart, Sir.”
‘Twas not a match but a thriller. Kept us on tenterhooks till the finish. Kudos to both the teams for such an entertainer. @imVkohli, you are a class apart, Sir. pic.twitter.com/9TlksmN8OC
— Adnan Siddiqui (@adnanactor) October 23, 2022
Actor Mansha Pasha quipped, “Virat singlehandedly carried the game in the second half for India. Honestly hate one of my favourite players right now. He knew the assignment and delivered. Good on him! Bad luck for us!”
Virat singlehandedly carried the game in the second half for India - honestly i hate one of my favourite players right now 😅
— Mansha Pasha (@manshapasha) October 23, 2022
He knew the assignment and he delivered. Good on him! Bad luck for us 💔#INDvPAK
Host Shaista Lodhi added, “What a game of cricket! Had everything. Hate losing to India but hats off to Virat Kohli. One of the best 20/20 innings I’ve ever seen. Pakistan will go again.”
What a game of cricket! Had everything. Hate losing to India but hats off to Virat Kohli. One of the best 20/20 innings I’ve ever seen. Pakistan will go again.#indiaVsPakistan #PakVsInd
— Dr. Shaista Lodhi (@IamShaistaLodhi) October 23, 2022
Ball or no ball?
Many also cheered up the Pakistani cricket team, acknowledging the fight they put up. While others questioned whether the decision to give a no ball in the last over was legitimate. “This should be probed? I don’t know. What do the experts and the rules say? Because that ball was the turning point and Babar Azam could be seen protesting with the umpires right after,” inquired Ali Zafar.
Hmmmmmm. This should be probed? I don’t know. What do the experts and the rules say ? Because that ball was the #turningpoint and @babarazam258 could be seen protesting with the umpires right after. #NoBall https://t.co/x96gj9mA9M
— Ali Zafar (@AliZafarsays) October 23, 2022
“Wasn’t expecting this from Kohli and the umpires at this level of the game,” complained Aijaz Aslam.
Wasn’t expecting this from @imVkohli & the umpires at this level of the game #disappointed #T20worldcup22 pic.twitter.com/oZaDWqQYUu
— aijaz aslam (@aijazz7) October 23, 2022
“Bad umpiring, India playing with 2 umpires,” lamented Shaan Shahid.
Bad umpiring india playing with 2 umpires …
— Shaan Shahid (@mshaanshahid) October 23, 2022
“The real question is, was that a no ball or a legal delivery?” probed Asim Azhar.
The real question is.. was that a no ball or a legal delivery? #INDvPAK #t20worldcup
— Asim Azhar (@AsimAzharr) October 23, 2022
Chin up, greens
Nevertheless, many held that India would have won regardless, owing mainly to Kohli’s performance. But the men in green gave their all too, especially Iftikhar Ahmed. Speaking in the same vein, singer and actor Haroon Shahid requested, “We need to move ahead. There's a whole tournament ahead of us. We fought well and they played well too. Nothing on it.”
We need to move ahead. There's a whole tournament ahead of us. We fought well and they played well too. Nothing on it.
— Haroon Shahid (@Haroon_5hahid) October 23, 2022
Azhar in another tweet, “Well fought boys! I will never turn my back on you guys. This is just the start of the tournament, let’s bounce back stronger. And for everyone concerned, this was the best freaking experience of my life. An INDvPAK world cup game at the MCG going down to the last ball?! What more would a cricket fan would want?”
Well fought @TheRealPCB boys! 💚 will never turn my back on you guys. This is just the start of the tournament, let’s bounce back stronger, inshaAllah 🙌🏽
— Asim Azhar (@AsimAzharr) October 23, 2022
Ayesha Omar, who was at the stadium like Azhar, kept her fans updated with highlights straight from the stadium. Taking to her Instagram on Sunday, she shared, “What a vibe you are Melbourne! What fantastic energy, excellent weather, amazing security, and the best company. So, what if we lost the first match? It’s just the beginning baby… We like to surprise and live on the edge. It’s in our DNA, we can change anything with our resilience. We will bring that trophy home guys!”
Shaniera Akram also posted a photo of herself from the cricket ground to share her experience. “I've been to a few cricket games in my life but this one stole my heart.” In a separate tweet she wrote, “Congratulations India, what a match! We didn't win today but we played well and it was such an amazing game. Two countries came together and crowd was incredible! You won my heart today! How proud I was to be there with you all.”
I've been to a few cricket games in my life but this one stole my heart. The crowd was incredible. What an honor it was to hold the cup for you all at the MCG as the @T20WorldCup cultural ambassador in my home town, representing My beautiful Pakistan. I hope I made you proud 🇵🇰💚 pic.twitter.com/5muYZ1yLHr
— Shaniera Akram (@iamShaniera) October 24, 2022
Actor Mawra Hocane also offered her two cents on the loss, “It’s not the first time or the last. We are used to it. The world will always play against us and we will always rise against all odds. Bring in whatever you can and watch us bounce back from nothing!”
It’s not the first time or the last, We are used to it, the world will always play against us, together & we will ALWAYS RISE INSHAALLAH against all odds!
— MAWRA HOCANE (Hussain) (@MawraHocane) October 23, 2022
Bring in whatever you can & watch us bounce back from nothing!!! InshaAllah 🇵🇰❤️🤲🏻 #PakistanZindabad #PAKvIND #T20WorldCup
Following her appreciation of Kohli, Pasha shared in another tweet, “India held on at a very important juncture in the game and took it away. Disappointed. But their resolve needs to be commended. Chin up Pakistan!” Chin up, indeed.
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