In cricket, some matches become timeless memories, etched into the minds of fans and players alike. One such unforgettable moment occurred during the 2022 T20 World Cup when India won a dramatic victory against Pakistan at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Two years later, Indian captain Rohit Sharma and explosive batter Suryakumar Yadav reminisced about that iconic game on October 23, 2022, a match hailed as one of the greatest T20 encounters ever played.
The atmosphere that day was electric. Ninety thousand cricket fans packed into the MCG to witness the fierce rivalry between India and Pakistan. As the game unfolded, Pakistan, batting first, posted a competitive total of 160 runs. India’s chase, however, began in the worst possible fashion, with their top order collapsing to 31/4 within the first seven overs. It was a dismal situation that left many fans fearing the worst.
Suryakumar Yadav, dismissed for just 15, watched the tense proceedings from the dugout, and he vividly recalled the steep odds stacked against India. “When we were four down, I was sitting in the dugout. I saw the screen, and the win predictor showed only a 2 to 3 percent chance of victory,” he shared in a video posted by the ICC.
ALSO READ: “Akash Deep has done well whenever he has played” – Aakash Chopra
Yet, cricket is a game of uncertainties, and on that day, two men refused to give in. Virat Kohli and Hardik Pandya rose to the occasion, forging a remarkable 113-run partnership that would change the course of the match. Pandya’s composed 40 off 37 balls played a vital role, but it was Kohli’s masterclass that truly stood out. His innings, often described as one of the finest ever played in a T20 international, breathed life back into India’s chase.
View this post on Instagram
The turning point came with India needing 48 runs off the last three overs. Kohli took charge, dispatching Pakistan’s ace pacer Shaheen Afridi for three boundaries in the 18th over. Then came the iconic moment in the penultimate over, where Kohli struck two jaw-dropping sixes off Haris Rauf, leaving the crowd in awe.
Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma, known for his calm demeanor on the field, admitted that the pressure of the situation got to him. “I am a very nervous person. I was sitting inside the changing room, not watching it live because it was quite tense,” Rohit Sharma confessed, though he eventually came out to witness the thrilling finish.
ALSO READ: Aakash Chopra opens up on choosing between KL Rahul and Sarfaraz Khan for IND vs NZ 2024 2nd Test
The final over, bowled by Mohammad Nawaz, was a rollercoaster. With 16 runs needed, India lost Pandya early, but Kohli’s crucial six off a no-ball kept hopes alive. Ultimately, it was R Ashwin’s calm, well-placed shot that sealed the thrilling four-wicket win. As Suryakumar summed up, “We weren’t sure we were going to win, but we were definitely back in the competition.”
