Remember the sledge war between Viral Kohli and James Faulkner? Yes you are right. We are referring to the “I have punished you enough all my life, now go back and bowl” incident where Kohli took on Faulkner. Yesterday night cricket fans witnessed another evidence to this claim, where Kohli changed the direction of the game by bashing Faulkner for 17 runs in 5 balls.
It was the 18th over of the game with India chasing 161, a good total set up by Australia. India needed 39 runs of 18 balls at a required run rate of 13 runs an over. Faulkner was set to bowl the 18th over. Australians were hoping that the slowness of the track and the back of hand deliveries of Faulkner was going to get the better of Kohli. But Virat had other plans in mind. The first ball was short and Kohli pulled it to deep backward square leg for a magnificent boundary. Faulkner decided to back his abilities to bowl the Yorker and he bowled one outside the off stump. Kohli opened the face of the bat and sent another ball to the deep point boundary. The Mohali crowd and the millions of Indians watching the game had started chanting Virat’s name already. Next one was a bit short and Kohli hurled the ball again for a six. And this almost had sealed the match for India. The over went for 19 runs.
What was more important is the way Kohli held his nerves and handled the pressure in crucial moments to help India win the game. Having said that, the Delhi dashers form is a big positive for India as they go on to face the mighty West Indies in the semi-finals at the Wankhede stadium in Mumbai on the 31st of March. Hopefully, India can carry out their winning streak and win another world cup title.
Play bold! Oh, my India!
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