OTD In 2022: Virat Kohli Produced More Than A Cinema
Kohli Goes Down The Ground! Kohli Goes Out Of The Ground! Under the bright lights of the Melbourne Cricket Ground, a story for the ages was written, exactly on this day, two years ago. This was not just a T20 World Cup game between arch rivals, India and Pakistan. It was an epic, a nerve-jangling thriller with more twists and turns than a Bollywood plot. If cricket were theatre, this was Virat Kohli‘s magnum opus, his Hamlet, performed before 90,000 fans, with an audience of a billion more watching from every corner of the globe. India In Trouble Let’s wind back to the start. Pakistan put up a respectable score of 159/8 that was chalked out thanks to fifties by Shan Masood and Iftikhar Ahmed. India’s bowlers, particularly Arshdeep Singh and Hardik Pandya, chipped in with crucial wickets, however 159 was a pretty good score on the board. Then came the start that you wouldn’t even wish on your worst enemies; India started off the chase in carnage—Rohit Sharma? Gone. KL Rahul? Not anymore. Suryakumar Yadav? He is gone as well. India was at 31-4 and it was déjà vu – the same thing that had happened at the 2021 T20 World Cup where Pakistan hammered India by 10 wickets. Disaster had been looming large yet again. Virat Takes The Centre Stage In walks Virat Kohli. Adding to this lineup was Hardik Pandya and Kohli once more stood with India against all hope. The Pakistani pace battery, led by Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf, had fire in their eyes and MCG had their crowd. However, Kohli had other plans. A Run-Chase Like No Other Now this was no game run chase. This was the edge of your seat, “Is that really life or a fever dream?” type of a chase. Kohli and Pandya played it cool for the first 10 overs, nudging the ball around, running hard between the wickets. The required run rate was climbing faster than a Himalayan trek, however Kohli’s eyes? Calm as a monk. Kohli Turns The Tide Then, came the last three overs, during which India had 48 still to get. At that time, Kohli might have thought, “Let’s make this interesting.” Shaheen Afridi came to bowl the 18th over. Kohli decided to go haywire like a kid dissembling the LEGO set. Three boundaries in one over. India still needed 31 from 12 balls, however hope flickered. Then, of course, Haris Rauf came with his 19th over—a bowing masterpiece—when Kohli did what Kohli does best. Two jaw-dropping strokes that will be replayed in highlights packages until eternity. One was an exquisite straight loft over Rauf’s head that seemed to cover miles and miles until a man possibly on Mars saw it. The other was a wristy flick over fine leg, which defied physics itself. India needed 16 now off the final over. Cricket, Chaos and Calm Mohammad Nawaz was under more stress than a teenage prom-goer and took the ball in the final over. It wasn’t too long before he got Hardik Pandya out, leaving Kohli sitting all alone with R Ashwin to keep him company. The aftereffect was a cricketing sitcom piece involving no-ball, a wide and a free hit that saw Kohli scrambling for byes after the ball hit the stumps. It was chaos, pure unfiltered chaos. Ashwin’s Final Ball Heroics Then, when two runs were needed off the final ball, Ashwin, cool as anything, lofted Nawaz over mid-off. Game. Over. India had done it. Kohli’s Knock For The Ages As Kohli stood there, arms aloft, drinking-in the roar and the cheer of the crowd, it was never just a cricket match that had been won-it was a battle of wills, a triumph of the human spirit. For an unbeaten 82 off 53 balls wasn’t just a knock, it was masterclass in clutch moments, pure legendary stuff. And if ever you needed evidence that sport is the grandest drama of all, this game was it. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
WOMEN’S ASIA CUP 2024: India Begin Title Defence Campaign Against Arch Rivals Pakistan
The Women’s Asia Cup is set for an exciting start as defending champions India face their long-time rivals Pakistan in a prime-time clash on Friday, July 19, 2024. This tournament is not just about the coveted trophy, it’s a crucial stage for the eight competing teams to perfect their strategies ahead of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 in October. India’s Dominance and Track Record India, led by the inspirational Harmanpreet Kaur, enters the competition as the team to beat. Their track record is impressive, having won the Asia Cup three out of four times in the T20 format and every time in the 50-overs format. They are the most successful team in the Women’s Asia Cup T20 with 17 wins in 20 matches. Strength Against Pakistan When it comes to facing Pakistan, India’s confidence is high, with an 11-3 win-loss record in T20 matches. Harmanpreet’s team will draw strength from this history and their recent form to secure the Group A clash. Despite a 1-1 draw against South Africa earlier this month due to rain washing out the second T20I, India has shown promise. Key Players for India Smriti Mandhana’s exceptional batting form is India’s key weapon at the top of the order. Alongside her, the team’s bowling attack has become a formidable force, with both pacers and spinners delivering strong performances. Pooja Vastrakar’s eight wickets in three matches against South Africa highlight her excellent form, while Radha Yadav’s return has bolstered the spin department, which also includes the talented Deepti Sharma, Sajeevan Sajana, and the energetic Shreyanka Patil. Pakistan’s Challenges and Changes Pakistan, on the other hand, comes into the tournament with some challenges. They haven’t played since their 3-0 defeat in England in May, which might affect their confidence and game rhythm. However, they’ve made significant changes to their squad, with Iram Javed, Omaima Sohail, and Syeda Aroob Shah returning, and the uncapped Tasmia Rubab making her debut. Despite these changes, Pakistan’s captain Nida Dar remains a crucial figure for the team. Anticipation for a Thrilling Contest The India vs Pakistan fixture promises to be a thrilling contest between these two fierce rivals. As fans eagerly await, the stage is set for a memorable clash in the Women’s Asia Cup 2024. SQUADS: INDIA Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh (wk), Uma Chetry (wk), Pooja Vastrakar, Deepti Sharma, Arundhati Reddy, Renuka Singh, D Hemalatha, Asha Sobhana, Radha Yadav, Shreyanka Patil, Sajeevan Sajana. PAKISTAN Nida Dar (c), Aliya Riaz, Diana Baig, Fatima Sana, Gull Feroza, Iram Javed, Muneeba Ali, Najiha Alvi (wk), Nashra Sandhu, Omaima Sohail, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Amin, Syeda Aroob Shah, Tasmia Rubab, Tuba Hassan.
