R Ashwin Recalled Virat Kohli’s Famous Knock Against Pakistan: As the much-awaited schedule for the upcoming ICC ODI World Cup 2023 was announced, the excitement and anticipation for the high-voltage clash between India and Pakistan have increased among the fans. The last time both the teams met at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) during the ICC T20 World Cup 2022 it turned out to be a thrilling experience.
Virat Kohli‘s historic knock of 82 not out (53 balls, 6×4, 4×6, 154.72 SR) helped India defeat Pakistan in a classic.
Chasing a total of 160 to win, India was 31 for 4 at one stage and seemed to be on their way to a crushing defeat. Kohli played one of the best knocks of his career as he displayed his shot-making skills, especially those last two consecutive sixes he hit off the dangerous Haris Rauf in the 19th over, which brought India firmly back in the game.
Two runs were needed, Ashwin, who was the new batter with just one ball remaining, had one job on the last ball, to play far from a fielder and he did that perfectly with a lofty shot to help team India defeat Pakistan.
R Ashwin Revealed He Was Cursing Dinesh Karthik
It wasn’t an easy situation for a new batter to come in, but considering the situation and Ashwin revealed that he was cursing Dinesh Karthik, who got out on the penultimate delivery of the last over.
Meanwhile, speaking to ICC about that famous win and how he felt going in at such a crunch moment, R Ashwin said: “I was cursing Dinesh Karthik for asking me to do the tougher job. As I was just cursing him when I walked in, I realised the enormity of what I was getting into. People yelling, I haven’t seen such a crowd ever.”
Ashwin Recalled His Conversation With Virat Kohli
Ashwin further revealed that Kohli gave him seven options to play as he could see that the former captain was pumped up but he admitted that Nawaz made it easier for him by bowling that wide. He said:
“Virat just gave me like seven options to play off that one ball. If only I was that capable of playing all those shots I wouldn’t be batting at no. 8. I just talked to myself, I couldn’t say that to him. I looked at Virat and his eyes seemed like he was possessed. I said, okay he’s on another planet and let me come back to earth. The moment he bowled a wide I knew I won the contest.”
He added:
“I think cricket in so many ways is going to give you a lot of messages that way. So that’s where I brought my positivity from. I knew I’d won the game.”
