 masterminds a great win "Pin It")
Over 72 hours, Dhaka witnessed moments both incredible and strange. Sachin Tendulkar's 100th international hundred and a Bangladesh victory on Friday; Surprise showers on Saturday; and hold your breath, a minor earthquake measuring 4.6 on the Richter Scale on Sunday morning.
It was 8.56 a.m. when the tectonic plates mildly shifted under the Bangladesh capital's subterranean layers. And on a day when the ground beneath shook, Virat Kohli stayed firm and upright and made the night his and India's own at the Sher-E-Bangla National Stadium.
Kohli's 183 (148b, 22x4, 1x6) and his alliances with Sachin Tendulkar and Rohit Sharma, proved to be the cornerstone of India's resurgent six-wicket victory over Pakistan in a crucial Asia Cup match.
Chasing Pakistan's 329 for six, India finished with 330 for four in 47.5 overs.
India's highest successful run-chase in ODIs, the previous being the successful pursuit of England's 326 at Lord's in 2002, helped M.S. Dhoni's men stay alive in the current tournament. Currently Pakistan tops the table at nine points while India (8) is placed second but if Bangladesh (4) defeats Sri Lanka (0) on Tuesday, then the host will sail through on account of having nailed the Men in Blue during the league stage.
India lost Gambhir for a blob in the opening over bowled by off-spinner Mohammad Hafeez. The queasy moment was tided over with Sachin Tendulkar (52) and Kohli lending assurance and aggression in equal measure through their 133-run second-wicket partnership.
Finally having made his peace with an overwhelming milestone, Tendulkar dismantled Aizaz Cheema with an upper-cut six that rolled back the years. The legend's ease was mirrored by Kohli, who stood on his toes and deflected Umar Gul towards square-leg.
The two then latched on to Wahab Riaz with relish. The left-arm seamer, who was included at Sarfraz Ahmed's expense, was unable to replicate his Mohali heroics of a five-wicket haul during the World Cup semifinal. Against the run of play, Tendulkar failed to fathom Saeed Ajmal's doosra.
Kohli though continued to put the building blocks in place, alert to errors in length, willing to forget the odd streaky four and being the peer as well as mentor to Rohit in a decisive 172-run third-wicket partnership.
Promoted up the order, Rohit (68) took his time and when required, eased his forearms with a six off Cheema. The final equation whittled down to 83 from 60 deliveries and Kohli took charge, scattering Gul with an inside-out six and shredding Riaz past fine-leg and long-off.
Kohli's 11th ODI hundred and his personal best ushered in the needed triumph with Dhoni and Suresh Raina completing the formalities.
Earlier, commanding tons by openers Mohammad Hafeez (105, 113b, 9x4, 1x6) and Nasir Jamshed (112, 104b, 10x4, 1x6) vindicated Misbah-ul-Haq's decision to bat. Hafeez and Nasir collectively drilled nine fours in the first ten overs while Praveen Kumar and Irfan Pathan felt the heat.
The openers steadily built their 224-run partnership, the second highest by a Pakistani pair against India in ODIs. The best being the 230-run third-wicket partnership between Saeed Anwar and Ijaz Ahmed in 1998.
Once they got their eye in, Hafeez and Nasir smacked shots that spelt disdain. Hafeez slog-swept Yusuf Pathan and Nasir gave the charge to Praveen. The seamer angled the delivery in to the southpaw's body but the opener still carted a six!
The lone opportunity for India occurred when Tendulkar stepped in. Nasir's swat, when on 69, ricocheted off Tendulkar's right hand and the injured maestro left the field immediately. India finally made its incisions in the batting Power Play as Nasir top-edged a slog-sweep off R. Ashwin while Dinda's slower delivery trapped Hafeez.
Among the others, Younis Khan (52) shed his poor form before retreating with a sense of disbelief as his tenure was cut short by a leaping Raina, who brilliantly grabbed a one-handed catch.
Through the Pakistan innings, Dhoni used eight bowlers in a bewildering mix of 23 different spells and among them, Ashoke Dinda had a relatively better outing (two for 47). Thankfully for India, Kohli's brilliance masked the bowling inadequacies.
Scorecard - Pakistan: M. Hafeez lbw b Dinda 105 (113b, 9x4, 1x6), N. Jamshed c Irfan b Ashwin 112 (104b, 10x4, 1x6), U. Akmal c Gambhir b Praveen 28 (24b, 2x4), Younis Khan c Raina b Praveen 52 (34b, 6x4), S. Afridi c Kohli b Irfan 9 (15b), H. Azam c Kohli b Dinda 4 (5b), Misbah (not out) 4 (5b), U. Gul (not out) 0 (1b); Extras (b-1, lb-3, w-10, nb-1): 15; Total (for six wkts. in 50 overs): 329.
Power Plays: One (Overs 1-10): 51/0; Bowling (16-20): 40/0; Batting (36-40): 38/2.
Fall of wickets: 1-224 (Jamshed), 2-225 (Hafeez), 3-273 (Akmal), 4-313 (Afridi), 5-323 (Younis), 6-326 (Azam).
India bowling: Praveen 10-0-77-2, Irfan 10-0-69-1, Dinda 8-0-47-2, Raina 2.2-0-15-0, Rohit 3-0-19-0, Yusuf 5-0-30-0, Ashwin 10-0-56-1, Tendulkar 1.4-0-12-0.
India: G. Gambhir lbw b Hafeez 0 (2b), S. Tendulkar c Younis b Ajmal 52 (48b, 5x4, 1x6), V. Kohli c Hafeez b Gul 183 (148b, 22x4, 1x6), Rohit c Afridi b Gul 68 (83b, 5x4, 1x6), S. Raina (not out) 12 (6b, 1x4, 1x6), M.S. Dhoni (not out) 4 (1b, 1x4); Extras (b-5, lb-1, w-4, nb-1): 11; Total (for four wkts. in 47.5 overs): 330.
Power Plays: One (Overs 1-10): 58/1; Bowling (16-20): 35/1; Batting (36-40): 32/0.
Fall of wickets: 1-0 (Gambhir), 2-133 (Tendulkar), 3-305 (Rohit), 4-318 (Kohli).
Pakistan bowling: Hafeez 9-0-42-1, Gul 8.5-0-65-2, Cheema 8-0-60-0, Ajmal 9-0-49-1, Afridi 9-0-58-0, Wahab 4-0-50-0.
Man-of-the-match: V. Kohli
Keywords: Asia Cup
Young Virat Kohli has proved his mettle time and again. He displayed great authority. The lengthy knocks should always result into victory.
Aweful batting from Kohli.He hasn't done well.He have to improve and score a triple century in ODIs.
It was nice to read the comments from Mr. V.R. govindarajan in this coloumn. As he rightly pointed out, players become a serious drag on the team once they have far outlived their usefulness and quality required for the shorter version of cricket. I was just imagining what would have been the score if a faster companion was at the crease with Kohli after Gambhir went back. This will only happen when and only when the team has a constant flow of younger cricketers who get chance to play the game and develop and consilidate. Kohli in point. Older players staying too long destroy this process resulting in such state of affairs as the current Indian team's predicament. It will take a very long time to undo the damage done in the cricket midst. But then money making and good cricket are mutually exclusive in many ways it appears. And there seem to be so many and different hands at the till preventing good clean up. We all should pray that good sense and fairness come about. will it?
Yes great win by India, but why is our bowling so awful?
Where are Sreesanth and Sharma? We need some proper wicket takers that should stop India being hit for so many runs.
good work. Also give due credit to R.Ashwin ( he has contained the
batsmen around 5 rpo)
Well played dominating innings from Kohli. Finally, Tendulkar is back with his so called yesteryears form after the jinx have been broken. Keep it up this form for finals :).
Irrespective of whether the combined score of 11 Indian players is 183
(Prudential Cup) or a lone VK scores 183, the result is same – a
magnificent win for India. India pulled off a facile victory which
appeared a herculean task when GG and ST opened, and the Damocles
sword hanging with GG falling cheaply. The winners had the last
laugh making batting a merry and wrapped up the match with 13 balls to
spare. For once, Umar, Cheema and Riaz had to run for cover, per
force, in the face of Kohli’s virulence. His priceless innings put to
pale the brilliant tons by Pakistan’s openers. The majestic innings
ensured that Indian players’ dinner off the field was preceded by a
sumptuous dinner on the field. India team needs to arrest complacency
consequent to this win. Pakistan, on most occasions, than not, is
known to play mind games specially when it comes to taking-on the
opponents across their border. Whether have they, or not reserved
their best for the finals will be known in a coup
very happy for India. Kohli's good innings in Pakistan.
good luck guys...do well in all matches like this one.
The next generation is coming to the fore.Taking the mantel from the seniors..Great Show
nice batting virat
Good luck for the finals.....
this is "India",well done thanks
Excellent ferfomance by virat kohli! he is next dhoni of india!
marvellous, awesome ,extraordinary,superb innings!
your the best of the india!
all the best kohli!
Cograts to Virat koli,at the same time he has to curtail his emotions on the field.
weldone virat.....
Well done India!!!! It was an excellent match. Enjoyed it.
He(Virat) is the future captain of india team...
Welldone Virat!!!!!!
Scintillating,fantabulous performance by Virat Kohli. V for Virat,V for Victory. Congratualtions to the men in blue.
ALL the Best to Team India and the Virat for his Fabulous Century.
Everybody is congratulating Sachin Tendulkar. But Except Kapil, no other big name in
Cricket has bothered to give out a call to Tendulkar to retire'gracefully'. Statistics will
prove that he he has outlived his utility to the team. The Mumbai media will continue
to glorify him and chant that he is the 'God' of Cricket. But statistics say otherwise.
See the case Ponting. His records are no way inferior to Mr.Tendulkar's. But Cricket
Australia has said "enough is enough".When BCCI will see the reality.
Extraordinary innings by virat kohli. kohli is the the best class cricketer .He is the best chasing scorer .he played coolly with no tension in his face. he was awesome player. congratulations to kohli. go on this same spirit for ever.
excelent innings
kohli batting is very well and congratulations to team india
Viratkohli superb innings. Congrats to Team India and I am the biggest fan of the kohli
This is a great time for india.Virat kohli(183) played a match winning performance against pakistan.VIRAT KOHLI creats a new history in the world,and also his best score(183).I hope india gurannte go to final.And won the asia cup and virat kohli hits a another centuray in the asia cup final against pakistan.VIRAT KOHLI is best great and another sachin.
KOHLI is the future Sachin for India ,it is unbelieving performance.Congrats to KOHLI.
nice............. good job keep itup and congrats all the best for next match
it's a miracle day for all the indians.All the best to inida.I LOVE VIRAT KOHLI.
i am the big big big fan of kohli.
Virat superb innings. Congrats to Team Inadia.
Yesterday I witnessed India's batting future.
In the hot summer but our Virat Kohli in Pakistan match cool play and got 183 runs.So congratulations virat. Indians are hope that you are our next Sachin or Shewag.Thanks for your good innings. And best of luck to Indian cricket team.
Thanks to the mind-blowing milestone century from our upcoming hero Virat Kohli.Also to Sachin and Rohit for their excellent support.We have proved we deserve to be the world champions.It was again an heart-tickling contest between the two teams making the day a super sunday. We hope Bangladesh loses the next match and pave way for India which deserves to be the in finals and achieve the trophy and once again rule the cricketing crown of Asia.Anyway heartful congratulations to the Men In Blue and best of luck for the rest of trophy.See you in the finals.
i know he can.superb performance india
The MIRACLE of a victory against PAK at Mirpur thanks mainly to Virats
another Vishwaroop in which he demolished the Pak bowling into pieces
to say the least.Pakistan openers hit up a double hundred opening
stand and Indian bowlers toiled and it looked as if it would be cake-
walk for PAK when Gambhir departed early.But Virat and the most
unparalleled Sachin consolidated the innings and replied to the
Mission IMposssible of 330 target.Kohlis anger with the bat was some
thing furious and he proved it to the pundits of cricket that his sole
attack against SL at Blunder Down under was not a FLUKE one!Team
Indias batting is the most formidable one and Kohli led the same with
aggression and attack and the amazing 200+ knock of Hafeez and Jamshed
lost in the process.Dhonis worries continues since our bowling and
fielding are areas of full of holes to be plucked.It may again be
another India-Pak finals and the SL-BDesh match hangs in
balance.Kudos to Kohli for his yet another brilliant knock
What an innings from the future captain of Indian cricket? I hope it
will be no time that Kohli takes the captaincy. He proved to be a
tough customer. Having failed in the first Test series in West Indies,
he determined never to look back at the failure. He proved he is also
a compact Test batsman as he scored the one and only century of the
Australian tour. India is going in the right direction because time
and again young stars proved to be match-winners in the likes of Kohli
and Raina. If Raina is more consistent in Test cricket then the Men in
Blue will be formidable in Test arena too. One prays that the heroics
of Kohli and Rohit Sharma didn't go waste.
Well played Virat. Hearty congratulations to Team India.
This is indeed an extraordinary innings from Virat Kohli.He has showed immense maturity in his approach towards achieving this heroic inning. If one observes his batting style carefully over the past six or odd months, you will notice that his shots are more grounded and he has started to time the ball beautifully. This is evident from his innings today that had( 22x4 fours) and sixes ( 6x2 sixes). I see reflections of Rahul Dravid in his batting style today. I have been a great fan of Kohli right from IPL but always felt that he should convert his 50s to 100s with a little more patience and finally over the past months I see this young Lad achieving that! I am happy for him and more than that I am happy for my country India who has found this rising star of Indian cricket at a time when with big stars are nearly to fade in the near future! Cheers!
Great match. Nice article.
It was a very flat wicket for the batsmen. Almost expected it to be a
600+ runs game from the first few overs bowled. There was nothing in it
for the bowlers. But no matter how flat the wicket, an individual score
of 183 definitely deserves high praise.
Great to see Indian batters (sachin , kholi , rohith) in this marvellous standing , same as usual we are seeking on Overseas also keep going on ............... Indian rocks.
This young man was fantastic. It is a slap on the face of those who
wanted to see the back of Kohli and Rohit. We need to give them a long
rope as they are pretty inexperienced. I won't say that to Raina, who is
technically flawed.
Congratulations to India team but they should show their talent like this in every match. Sometimes you may loose the game but your standard. India is very capable of doing miracles but nervous.
Timely century by youngster, Kohli help India to defeat Pakistan. Thanks to superb performance by V Kohli.But it is a team effort, Tendulker, Rohit also done a good job. It is the biggest win for the Team India over arch rival Pakistan. Congratulate Team India and Virat Kohli for his fine century.
Please Email the Editor