The India vs Pakistan Asia Cup 2023 clash featured many memorable performances from Rohit Sharma-led page. However, three players stood out – Virat Kohli, KL Rahul and Kuldeep Yadav. While Kohli and Rahul hit centuries, Kuldeep picked a five-wicket haul in the Super 4 match that ended on the reserve day due to rain. Both Kohli and Rahul remained unbeaten on 122* and 111* respectively. On the last ball of the Indian innings, Kohli hit a six Faheem Ashraf to take India to a mammoth 356-2 in 50 overs.
The six impressed industrialist Anand Mahindra who made a special comment on the six by Kohli from the last ball.
“The last six off the last ball against Pakistan was a surgical strike. Nothing less. Least fuss and movement, effortless. Clinical. He may be known as King Kohli, but he deserves a medical degree. Doctor Kohli….”
The last six off the last ball against Pakistan was a SurgicalStrike. Nothing less. Minimum hassle and movement, effortless. Clinical.
He may be known as King Kohli, but he deserves a medical degree. Doctor Kohli…. pic.twitter.com/cG1lrUosyd— anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) 13 September 2023
The Asia Cup 2023 match between India and Pakistan saw several records broken as Rohit Sharma’s men secured a 228-run victory in Colombo. As the match was extended to the reserve day, the players were pushed to their limits, resulting in an entertaining contest. When the match ended, not only cricket but viewership records were also broken. Board of Cricket in India (BCCI) Secretary Jay Shah revealed the news that a major ‘record’ was broken himself.
According to Jay Shah, who is also the chairman of the Asian Cricket Council, as many as 2.8 crore people tuned in to watch the match through digital media.
“Today’s #INDvsPAK has clocked 2.8 Crore concurrent users on @DisneyPlusHS – the highest for any India match in the history of digital. The previous best was #INDvsNZ 2019 @cricketworldcup semi-final with 2.52 Crore concurrent users,” Shah wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
As for the match, Pakistan opted to bowl after Azam won the toss, but the team soon lost their grip after a 121-run opening between skipper Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill.
Virat Kohli and KL Rahul hit 122 and 111 respectively to extend India’s dominance in an unbeaten stand of 233.
“Me and KL are both conventional cricketers, we don’t try fancy things but we can get a lot of purchase through good cricket batting. Great partnership and good sign for Indian cricket. Very happy he is coming back to ODI cricket in that way,” said Player of the Match Virat Kohli after the match.
Pakistan’s bowling, led by Shaheen Shah Afridi, had rattled India’s top order last week in an Asia Cup group game, bowling them out for 266 before the match was abandoned due to rain.
But Rohit, Gill, Rahul and Kohli came roaring back in the Super Four contest to take the attack to the bowlers.
With AFP inputs
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