Wasim Akram, a former captain of Pakistan, suggested that Virat Kohli might be from another planet following India’s Twenty20 World Cup win over their bitter rivals Pakistan thanks to Kohli’s amazing half-century.
“Match of the Day” As India chased down 160 at a jam-packed Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday, Kohli smashed an unbeaten 82 from 53 balls. In the penultimate over, he smashed back-to-back strokes over the ropes with back-to-back sixes to reintroduce India into the match.
He’s one of the best modern greats I’ve seen, claimed Akram on a private Pakistani television channel. “Aliens do walk among us,” Akram said.
He has been scoring for the past 15 years and has the best average while chasing, so it’s not just now.
Kohli’s magnificent knock comes on the heels of a three-year drought for an international hundred at the Asia Cup last month when he smashed an unbeaten 122 against Afghanistan in the game’s shortest format.
According to India legend Sachin Tendulkar, Kohli’s innings must have been the best of his career.
“It was a pleasure to watch you play, especially the six off the back foot in the 19th over against (Haris) Rauf over long-on. Continue on, “He tweeted about it.
Former Pakistan players and India Prime Minister Narendra Modi were among those who praised Kohli on social media.
“What a game of cricket we just witnessed, and this guy Virat Kohli is an absolute beast,” Pakistan batsman Shoaib Malik said on Twitter.
“In white-ball cricket, he cannot be compared to any other player in the world. He can anchor, rotate the strike, hit sixes, and know how to close out a game.”
With India celebrating Diwali, The Times of India reported that Kohli was “back as king” and ready to light up the World Cup with a “cracker of an innings.”
On Thursday, India will play the Netherlands in their second Group 2 match.
