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 !"
END OF OVER:19 | 16 Runs | IND: 157/4 (4 runs required from 6 balls, RR: 8.26, RRR: 4.00)
- Virat Kohli82 (51b)
- MS Dhoni14 (9b)
- Nathan Coulter-Nile4-0-33-1
- James Faulkner3-0-31-1
hadi: "I hate to say this but I'm beginning to put Kohli ahead of AB. What a master."
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!
END OF OVER:18 | 19 Runs | IND: 141/4 (20 runs required from 12 balls, RR: 7.83, RRR: 10.00)
- MS Dhoni14 (9b)
- Virat Kohli66 (45b)
- James Faulkner3-0-31-1
- Shane Watson4-0-23-2
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"
Adil Shah: "Game over for Australia "
Mohali is chanting his name.
Brendan: "Ah the old 39 off three overs. I missed you my friend. "
India need 39 off 18.
END OF OVER:17 | 8 Runs | IND: 122/4 (39 runs required from 18 balls, RR: 7.17, RRR: 13.00)
- MS Dhoni12 (8b)
- Virat Kohli50 (40b)
- Shane Watson4-0-23-2
- Josh Hazlewood4-0-38-0
Watson finishes with 2 for 23, he's been outstanding today for Australia. Will he bowl again in international cricket?
Mazhar Shehzaad: "kohli's mandatory 50 - check"
Kohli seems to be telling the umpire that it should be the bouncer for the over.