Location: New Delhi, India
In a thrilling recount of one of the most memorable encounters in cricketing history, veteran Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin shed light on the crucial moments that led to India’s incredible victory over arch-rivals Pakistan in the ICC T20 World Cup 2022. The nail-biting match, played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on October 23, 2022, witnessed Virat Kohli’s heroic knock of 82 and Ashwin’s ice-cold nerves that ultimately clinched the win for Team India.
India Defeats Pakistan by 4 Wickets in T20 World Cup 2022
The match was a high-stakes battle between two cricketing giants, India and Pakistan. Team India secured a historic victory by chasing down Pakistan’s total, winning the contest by 4 wickets.
Kohli’s Match-Winning Knock of 82
Virat Kohli, often known as the run-machine, played a stellar innings of 82 not out, which proved to be a match-winning performance. His superb display of skill and composure steered India towards victory.
Ashwin’s Winning Shot
While Virat Kohli was the star of the innings, it was Ravichandran Ashwin who had the honor of playing the winning shot. Ashwin’s cool demeanor under pressure and the ability to stay composed in the critical moments were pivotal in India’s successful run chase.
Dravid’s Reaction and Kohli’s Explosive Sixes
Ashwin shared fascinating insights into the emotions on the field during India’s chase. He described the initial despair when India was struggling at 45/4 after 10 overs. However, the mood dramatically changed as Virat Kohli smashed two consecutive sixes off Haris Rauf, lifting the spirits of the entire team.
Ashwin recalled the cold Melbourne weather that day, saying, “I was shivering. Rahul bhai was like ‘Come on Ash.'” Despite the early setbacks, the team’s spirits soared with Kohli’s explosive batting display.
Ashwin’s Mindset in the Final Ball
The most gripping moment of the match came when Ashwin found himself on strike, with India needing 2 runs off the final ball. Ashwin revealed his thought process during that nerve-wracking moment, saying, “I thought Nawaz, ‘please bowl it wide outside off, I will smash it over covers and start running.'”
Drawing from his childhood street cricket experiences, Ashwin displayed incredible presence of mind. He decided to leave the ball, anticipating a wide, and earned the crucial extra run that led India to victory.
Ashwin’s Street Cricket Wisdom
Ashwin’s street cricket wisdom played a pivotal role in India’s triumph. He explained, “We have runs only on the off-side. If you bowl on the leg side, you should know how to leave it and get a wide. So, I just used my street cricket experience and got us a wide.”
Virat Kohli, in an earlier interview, mentioned that he had given Ashwin multiple options for that critical ball. Ultimately, it was Ashwin’s smart decision that made all the difference.
Excitement Builds for India vs. Pakistan in Asia Cup 2023
As India prepares to face Pakistan in the 2023 Asia Cup, the excitement among cricket fans is reaching fever pitch. The memories of their epic clash in the T20 World Cup 2022 continue to inspire fans, and anticipation is high for another exhilarating contest between these two cricketing giants.
India vs. Pakistan Asia Cup Match Details
The highly anticipated Asia Cup match between India and Pakistan is scheduled to kick off today, September 2, 2023, at 3:00 pm IST. Cricket enthusiasts worldwide will be glued to their screens,
