TThe Indian skipper, Virat Kohli led India to a six-wicket win over the West Indies with a brilliant knock of 94* runs in the first T20Iof the three-match series in Hyderabad on Friday. His plan to bowl first didn’t go to plan for the home team as the West Indies posted 207/5 in 20 overs. India lost opener, Rohit Sharma, early but then Virat Kohli stitched a century stand with KL Rahul and helped India chase down a tough total with eight balls to spare.
Kohli garnered praise from both fans and critics alike for his 50-ball 94, which was decorated by six boundaries and as many sixes. West Indies legend Viv Richards tweeted: “Amazing. Just amazing, @imVkohli”. The India skipper thanked Viv Richards for the compliment, saying: “Thanks big BOSS. Coming from you means a lot”.
Thanks big BOSS. Coming from you means a lot 🙏🏼
— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) December 7, 2019
While Kohli’s batting masterclass in Hyderabad amazed Viv Richards, it seemed “extraterrestrial” to India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin.
“The kind of show @imVkohli put on last night was extraterrestrial” . #INDvsWI #Virat
— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) December 7, 2019
Veteran Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh also showered praise on Kohli, saying: “Kohli hai tho kuch bi possible hai what a chase @imVkohli well-done captain. Superb inn from @klrahul11 too and lil cameo from @RishabhPant17. Great win @BCCI”.
Kohli hai tho kuch bi possible hai what a chase @imVkohli well done captain 💪🏏 superb inn from @klrahul11 too and lil cameo from @RishabhPant17 great win @BCCI
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) December 6, 2019
Spinner Kuldeep Yadav, who was on the bench for the opening T20I, tweeted: “Brilliant match, what a knock! Take a bow skip @imVkohli. Superb chase.”
Brilliant match, what a knock! Take a bow skip @imVkohli 👐🏻
Superb chase 👌🏻 pic.twitter.com/adTbmCjo0v— Kuldeep yadav (@imkuldeep18) December 6, 2019
On the other hand, Virender Sehwag tweeted: “Inka time nahi, #ViratKohli ka yeh daur hai. Highest successful run chase for Team India and what a way to do it. Good contributions from KL Rahul and a good cameo from Pant”.
Inka time nahi, #ViratKohli ka yeh daur hai. Highest successful run chase for Team India and what a way to do it. Good contributions from KL Rahul and a good cameo from Pant. #IndvsWI pic.twitter.com/k0psdLQq64
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) December 6, 2019
The Indian fans got to see the form of Kohli which was missing for quite some time in 2019. He demonstrated one of the best wrists works as he almost single-handedly dictated terms in the chase. His duel with Kesrick Williams rather brought the best out of the 31-year-old and Kohli loses not on many occasions.
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West Indies bowlers were varying their lengths well but when things heated up between Kesrick Williams and Kohli, India started to come back in the game. He also mocked Williams with his notebook celebration hilariously in the 16th over and was in complete control of himself by then.
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While India, at one stage, was struggling to come to terms, they ended the chase with as many as 8 balls to spare. The chase was sealed in the penultimate over of the day with a trade-mark Kohli six over extra cover. Leading the three-match series 1-0, India will now host the West Indies in Thiruvananthapuram for the second T20I.
