that's the game! Dhoni has finished it with five balls to spare. Kohli sinks to the ground as the low full toss disappears to the wide long-on boundary. What a performance from the man, I can see relief on Kohli's face, he looks exhausted, he has pulled off a jaw-dropping chase. Again.
India vs Australia, 31st Match, Super 10 Group 2 at Mohali, Mar 27 2016 - Match Result
10.58 pm They are still chanting his name in the stands, I can hear fireworks go off outside my window. India are in the semi-finals and will play West Indies, the only team from the subcontinent to make it to the final four. And it is all thanks to Kohli. Did Smith make a mistake giving Kohli the chase? He is a surreal performer when faced with a target.
Paras: "DHONI hitting the winning run CHECK CHECK CHECK"
Kohli is the man of the match: "I would like to thank the crowd, it was unbelieveable, the support helps you push through those tough times. You need challenges in every game, they improve you as a cricketers. I don't know what to say, I am overwhelmed by … Yuvi had a good partnership and then MS kept me calm … We have always run well, we have an understanding, that's why you train in the gym, you have those fitness regimes, that paid off today. This innings has to be in my top three, perhaps the top right now because I'm a bit emotional."
Hasan: "Spare a thought for Watson. He bowled superbly today to try prolong his and his teams chances. Sad end to a career." Watson indeed played well today, bowled his heart out. His team-mates were just not good enough against a quite incredible batsman.
Mahela Jayawardene, Ian Chappell and Ajit Agarkar are on our Match Day show to analyse this game. Watch it here.
Aj: "So, Virat made it sure that its Watson's last international T20 match! Ecstatic for Virat, feeling sad for Watson! Both are gems..."
Mounika: "While its great India has won, it is also very worrying that none of the other batsmen are stepping up. But as long as that man Kohli is on the field, no worries"
Aniket: "Excellent Innings from Kohli! Whattt a chase!!! Marvellous, superlative, brilliant!!! No adjectives are enough to describe this innings! A word of thought for Yuvraj, what a fighter he is. stuck in there so that Kohli and Dhoni can take it from there on! N Dhoni does what he does!"
Tariq: "@ Kohli: Its unfair with other teams to have a man of this class playing against you. The guy is a one-man batting lineup. Massive massive respect!!"
Dhoni: "It was a tough score, they got 60 runs in the first six overs ... the middle overs were tough, it was difficult to hit the ball from back of a length, especially against the spinners ... we felt if we run well in the middle overs we had a chance ... It's not the first time I've enjoyed it, he's been playing brilliantly or the last few years, he has kept improving his game, he is very hungry to score runs for the team. the others have to step up now, can't keep relying on him, the others are contributing but we need to step up ... Running is a key aspect in modern cricket, if you can take singles against the best fielders, or make a single into the double, the lesser fielders get under pressure ... more than endurance you need explosive power, because there is ample time for rest."
Smith: "That was a pretty serious innings there, under pressure. He hit it right out of the middle and he's done it for a long time. Virat played an unbelievable knock ... I think 160 was around par, it just took an unbelievable innings to get India over the line."
Reyansh: "From Jason Gillespie: "It's not Chuck Norris quotes anymore........""
Right, I'm breathless. And I'm going to leave you all to soak this in, and I will do the same. We have seen a truly great performance tonight. We had seen one against Pakistan in Kolkata and Mirpur too. Virat Kohli's chases will soon be in danger of being taken for granted. Thank you for all your emails today, and thank you for reading. Good night.
Joseph: "Australia's complete lack of quality spinners has finally come home to roost in this game. They should have had this utterly in the bag, but this dreadful bowling at the death has cost them." And Kohli.
Nikhil: "Kohli makes every run chase look like the best run chase of his career. It's surreal. What a cricketer! The temperatent reminds me of Dravid in Tests. Absolutely determined. "
Shashank: "Let's just say this, he is the best around in the world and when chasing I wonder if there is anyone on other planets that can come any close to this man. Oh Kohli! Oh Kohli !"
in the slot for the cover drive, full and outside off, that's food and drink for Kohli, he unfurls his favourite shot, that drive and it is too good for every man on the field, he has bossed this chase and how
Kohli steps out and swings across the line, beaten by a slower short of a length ball
Kohli is toying with the bowling and the field, he steps out, to a length ball and lofts on the up flat over extra cover, this is batting of the highest calibre, this game is all but done, or is it? India need a run a ball
short ball on leg stump, Kohli is too good to miss out, fine leg is in the circle, Kohli pulls, and beats the fielder in the circle
a half volley outside off stump, Kohli stays so balanced, so still in his crease, uses his wrists to open the face of the bat and square drive through point, superb knowledge of where the field is
hadi: "I hate to say this but I'm beginning to put Kohli ahead of AB. What a master."
the slower ball short of a length outside off, Kohli pulls too early and is beaten
19 runs off that over. India need 20 off two overs. Dhoni has a problem with his back, or is it the side of his stomach? The physio is out there. It's all this incredible running. I've seen this happen to visiting teams at the MCG, not often the Australians are on the receiving end of this.
This break is letting Kohli and Dhoni get their breath back!
they are running Australia ragged! Dhoni dabs the ball towards mid-on, the fielder has to come in from long on, he has no chance in preventing the second, Dhoni and Kohli sprint sprint sprint
Nitin Chaudhary: "17.3 SIX how how how? I thought he got beaten on the slower one but adjusted in such a way... that was not real"
goes wide of the crease and angles the ball into the pads, Kohli tries to play a whippy drive but inside edges into the pad. No inside edge. Leg bye.
Warner runs to his right from long on but can't prevent the second, Kohli's wrists are too good, they drive the ball just wide of fielders to convert ones into twos
Adil Shah: "Game over for Australia "
they go berserk as the ball sails over the wide long-off boundary! Kohli steps out of his crease and lofts the short of a length ball through the line, it didn't look like he timed that perfectly but the ball carries over the boundary rider
Mohali is chanting his name.
this is mind-boggling batting, that ball is nearly in the blockhole outside off, there was a bit of width and that;s all Kohli needs, he opens the face of the bat and plays an incredible square drive that beats the diving fielder in the deep
Brendan: "Ah the old 39 off three overs. I missed you my friend. "
short ball and Kohli meets it on the front foot and pulls in front of deep backward square leg, sensational timing and India are four runs closer
India need 39 off 18.
Watson finishes with 2 for 23, he's been outstanding today for Australia. Will he bowl again in international cricket?
short of a length with width outside off, Dhoni slashes and gets a thick outside edge to the third man boundary.
Mazhar Shehzaad: "kohli's mandatory 50 - check"
another one in the blockhole, Kohli tries to flick but can't make proper contact, the ball goes to short third man off the pad, Watson appeals but that is missing leg
superb yorker, Dhoni digs it out on the leg side
Kohli seems to be telling the umpire that it should be the bouncer for the over.
another 50 for Kohli, he gets there by swatting a short ball to deep midwicket, he barely celebrates, did not even raise his bat, he looks super determined and knows the job is far from done
short of a length and wide outside off, Dhoni cuts hard to deep point, just the single this time because it was hit powerfully
charges the bowler and ends up yorking himself, Dhoni gets a thick inside edge on to his boot and back towards the bowler
Watson returns. India need almost two runs a ball. Kohli on 49, another masterful innings in a chase.
two more, this is incredible running, Kohli steps out and flicks the ball off his toes, he and Dhoni are absolutely steaming between the wickets, #mohalisobig that the Aussies are struggling to keep these to ones
1W | ||||
1W |
1W | ||||
1W |
Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium, Mohali, Chandigarh | |
Toss | Australia, elected to bat first |
Series | |
Season | 2015/16 |
Player Of The Match | |
Match number | T20I no. 553 |
Hours of play (local time) | 19.30 start, First Session 19.30-20.55, Interval 20.55-21.15, Second Session 21.15-22.40 |
Match days | 27 March 2016 - daynight (20-over match) |
Umpires | |
TV Umpire | |
Reserve Umpire | |
Match Referee | |
Points | India 2, Australia 0 |