Rohit Sharma-led Indian cricket team registered an epic win over Pakistan at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday, riding on the unbeaten 82-run knock by right-handed batter Virat Kohli. The winning run was hit by Ravi Ashwin as the side needed just one run off the last ball of the over. He smashed the ball over the head of the mid-on fielder, and as soon as the winning run was completed, Virat Kohli and Ashwin celebrated the big win in style.
The last-over drama between India and Pakistan will stay in the minds of fans and players alike for a few days. Ravichandran Ashwin, who is known for his presence of mind and for his outstanding knowledge of the game, walked in to bat when just one ball was remaining as team India had lost the big wicket of their in-form finisher Dinesh Karthik on the previous delivery.
Ashwin remained alert and to everyone’s surprise, instead of getting greedy to hit the ball, he quietly stayed in the line of the stumps and let it go towards the keeper for a wide. On the last delivery, Pakistan brought the field in and Ashwin lofted the ball over mid-off as India won the thrilling match by 4 wickets.
Meanwhile, on Tuesday, the BCCI via their official social media handles shared a video of Team India leaving for Sydney for Melbourne where they will play their second match of the tournament against the Netherlands on Thursday. However, Dinesh Karthik stole all the limelight in the video as he hilariously thanked Ravi Ashwin for saving him. He said: “Thank you for saving me yesterday, so cool and calm.”
Watch the video:
Hello Sydney 👋
We are here for our 2⃣nd game of the #T20WorldCup! 👏 👏#TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/96toEZzvqe
— BCCI (@BCCI) October 25, 2022
After the game, Kohli also showered praises on Ashwin for his presence of mind and game knowledge saying that he used his brain to let the ball go. He said:
“Jab apko 15-16 run ki run-rate chahiye aur 2 ball mein 2 run pe a jaye, toh log shayad relax ya over-excited bhi ho sakte hai ki ban gye. You know fir DK Run-out ho gye or Stumping, jo bhi bolenge aap”
He added: “But fir Aish ko maine bola ki covers ke upar marne dekhna, lekin aish ne apne dimaag ke upar extra dimaag lagaya, aur matlab that was a very brave thing to do. He came inside the line, wide krwadi, uske baad toh situation ye reh gyi ki gap mein gyi toh hum jeet jayenge match”
The Indian side will now lock horns with the Netherlands on Thursday.
