With courage in his eyes, commitment on his face and power in his arms –Virat Kohli was there not only to score but to win the game for India. When Mr. Kohli walked into the PCA ground Stadium in Mohali to face the mighty Australians, there was much script left to be written. Índia was chasing a score of 161, well over their best of 146 against in this tournament against Bangladesh.
Once again, the top order failed. The team was left in a spot of bother in the eighth over, when India lost third wicket at the score of 49. To add to the worries, Yuvraj Singh injured his ankle, and soon departed after smashing few big hits.
But unlike others, Mr. Kohli was unmoved in the unfavourable conditions. Something miraculous was required. This is what makes him different. Before this, he was the one who had taken India to victory from 23-3 at one stage against Pakistan.
When Mr. Kohli reached his 50 in 39 balls, he didn’t wave his bat in cheer. Why? Because he had his focus only on the figure of 161 – the target this man was running for. He knew that he has to take the team to shore. And in next 12 balls he did exactly the same. Without giving a look to personal figures, India’s deputy captain kept on placing the ball at all the right places.
He didn’t panic. The tremendous inning wasn’t the result of any momentary zeal, but was a well architected masterpiece resulted out of commitment and hunger to thrive for victory.
As Kohli had virtually ended the game only in 19th over, he didn’t seek any early celebrations. As soon as skipper on the other hand smashed a four, Kohli dropped down to his feet. It wasn’t celebration, but satisfaction which took him to his knees and the team on top.
Emotional, not aggressive
Another thing which we noticed in Kohli’s gesture that the usually aggressive batsman got emotional in the end. In post-match ceremony, his throat was a little wet, it wasn’t because his hunger for runs was fulfilled but for the single handed efforts he made to take his team into semi-finals paid off.
It was indeed a Viraat(Huge) innings. The show at Mohali was indeed a trumpet that he is no more the future but the present of Indian cricket.