Ravichandran Ashwin, the Indian cricketer, recently shared details about the intense mid-pitch conversation he had with Virat Kohli during India’s thrilling victory against Pakistan in the 2022 T20 World Cup at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Ashwin, who came to bat with India requiring two runs off the last ball, played a crucial role in securing the memorable win.
Speaking to the ICC website, Ashwin provided a first-hand account that Kohli, charged up with the pressure of the situation, provided him with around seven options when he arrived at the crease.
“Virat Kohli gave me like 7 options to play off that one ball. If only I was that capable of playing all those shots, I wouldn’t be batting at No. 8. I just talked to myself – I couldn’t say that to him. I looked at Virat and his eyes seemed like he was possessed. And I said, okay he’s on another planet, let me come back to earth,” the veteran off-spinner said to ICC.
Recalling the moment, Ashwin further revealed what was actually going on in his mind when he came to bat in the final delivery and also revealed how he knew that India would win the match.
“I was cursing Dinesh Karthik for asking me to do the tougher job. As I was just cursing him, when I walked in, I realised the enormity of what I was getting in to. People yelling, I haven’t seen such a crowd ever,” Ashwin further added.
The match against Pakistan witnessed a sensational last-ball finish, with India emerging victorious by four wickets. Chasing a target of 160, India needed two runs off the final delivery after Dinesh Karthik was stumped off Mohammad Nawaz. Nevertheless, Ashwin sealed the victory by hitting the winning runs, lofting Nawaz over the infield for four.
The 36-year-old stated that stated that his confidence grew when Nawaz delivered a wide ball. This wide effectively reduced the required runs to just one off the last ball.
“The moment he [Nawaz] bowled a wide, I knew I won the contest. I think cricket, in so many ways, is going to give you a lot of messages that way. So that’s where I brought my positivity from. I knew I’d won the game,” Ashwin concluded.