Kohli Guides India To 6-wicket Win Over Pakistan

Kohli guides India to 6-wicket win over Pakistan By
Published: 19:23 BST, 19 March 2016 | Updated: 19:24 BST, 19 March 2016
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KOLKATA, India (AP) — Virat Kohli hit an unbeaten 55 on Saturday as India enjoyed a six-wicket victory over Pakistan in the World Twenty20 to maintain a perfect record against its arch rival.

Pakistan lost all six times it has faced India in the 50-over World Cup and been defeated on all five WT20 meetings, including the final of the inaugural 2007 edition.

Kohli struck seven fours and one six on a testing pitch as India reached 119-4 in 15.5 overs of the Group 2 game after restricting Pakistan to 118-5 in a game reduced to 18 overs per side after a one-hour delayed start due to a wet outfield.
Indian cricket fans cheer during the ICC World Twenty20 2016 cricket match between India and Pakistan at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, India, Saturday, March 19, 2016.

(AP Photo/ Bikas Das)

The high-profile game, which was moved from the hill city of Dharamsala owing to Pakistan's security concerns, lived up to its top billing in the league stage at the packed Eden Gardens.

An early collapse, in which India lost three wickets, was taken care of by Kohli as the in-form batsman added 61 off 44 with Yuvraj Singh (24) for the fourth wicket.

He then saw the team through with Mahendra Singh Dhoni (13 not out) as India bounced back in style after losing its opening game to New Zealand by 47 runs.

"My heart rate did shoot up after losing those quick wickets," Kohli said.
"One has to bat according to the demands of the situation at times. It was a challenging wicket but that's what you want as a cricketer - new challenges."

Kohli and Yuvraj paired up after a couple of early boundaries from Rohit Sharma (10) were followed by some quick wickets for pace bowler Mohammad Sami, who justified his inclusion at the cost of spinner Imad Wasim on a pitch helping slow bowling.

Sharma fell to Mohammad Amir before Sami had left-handers Shikhar Dhawan (6) and Suresh Raina (0) bowled off successive deliveries, as both played on, with India reduced to 23-3 in the fifth over.

That left Kohli to play one of his trademark innings in a successful run chase.

"I want to congratulate Dhoni and his team," Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi said. "I was not expecting a pitch like this. I think we were a bit short with runs — 30 runs short. We didn't bowl in the right areas."

The Pakistan innings was steadied early on by Ahmed Shehzad, who struck 25 off 28 balls and added 38 for the opening stand with Sharjeel Khan (17) as Pakistan started cautiously to reach 24 after the five overs of power-play.

There was huge turn on offer early on, making a 41-run fourth-wicket stand between Shoaib Malik (26) and Umar Akmal (22) an important one.

Indian bowlers Ashish Nehra, Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, Suresh Raina and Ravindra Jadeja all took a wicket each to raise expectations of victory among 66,000 spectators that included Indian film star Amitabh Bachchan and retired cricket greats Sachin Tendulkar and Imran Khan.

"The pitch became better later," Dhoni said.

"Initially when we saw the pitch we did not think it would turn so much."

Pakistan won its opening game against Bangladesh by 55 runs.
India's MS Dhoni, center and India's Virat Kohli, behind score runs as Pakistan's Shahid Afridi, front, watches during the ICC World Twenty20 2016 cricket match at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, India, Saturday, March 19, 2016.

(AP Photo/ Bikas Das)
Pakistan's Mohammad Sami celebrates after winning a wicket against India during the ICC World Twenty20 2016 cricket match between India and Pakistan at Eden Gardens in Kolkota, India, Saturday, relysys-wiki.com March 19, 2016.

(AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
Indian supporters light crackers as they celebrate their team's victory in the ICC World Twenty20 2016 cricket match against Pakistan in Lucknow, India, Saturday, March 19, 2016.

(AP Photo/Rajesh Kumar Singh)
India's Virat Kohli, bats during the ICC World Twenty20 2016 cricket match against Pakistan at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, India, Saturday, March 19, 2016.

(AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
India's MS Dhoni, right and Virat Kohli share a batting partnership during the ICC World Twenty20 2016 cricket match against Pakistan at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, India, Saturday, March 19, 2016.

(AP Photo/ Bikas Das)