'You have to play till 20th over': Hardik Pandya reveals conversation with Virat Kohli during MCG epic vs Pakistan

NEW DELHI: The 2022 T20 World Cup clash between India and Pakistan was one of the most thrilling encounters in cricket history. Fans were on the edge of their seats—some with hands clasped, others biting their nails, and many drenched in sweat—as they witnessed the high-octane drama unfold at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Fifties from Shan Masood and Iftikhar Ahmed helped Pakistan recover from a shaky start, setting India a target of 160. With India reeling at 31/4, courtesy of a fiery spell from Haris Rauf, it seemed Pakistan was on course for back-to-back victories over their arch-rivals.

But Virat Kohli and Hardik Pandya had other plans.
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Kohli delivered a masterclass, remaining unbeaten on 82 off 53 balls, while Hardik Pandya provided crucial support to take the game into the final stages. Together, they orchestrated a remarkable turnaround, helping India clinch a four-wicket victory.

As India edged closer, Kohli unleashed a flurry of exquisite strokes, including an unforgettable six straight over the bowler’s head—one of the defining moments of the match. His unbeaten 82 featured six fours and four sixes, cementing his innings as one of the greatest in T20 World Cup history.

Hardik Pandya, who played a pivotal role in India's nail-biting win with three wickets and a crucial 40 runs, reflected on that unforgettable night in an interview with the ICC.

"My first thought was obviously that we could do it. It looked like a very steep hill to climb, but for me, I’ve been in many games where you don’t lose a battle until you give up, right? So, it was about believing in ourselves, staying at the crease, and taking the game ball by ball, step by step. Let’s see who cracks under pressure," Pandya said.

"My primary objective in this game was for Virat to play as long as possible. As soon as I walked in, my only message to him was that he had to stay until the 20th over.

"When Nawaz came on to bowl, I specifically remember saying, ‘I’m going to go after him.’ I knew I had to accelerate. I knew that if the ball landed in my arc, I was going to attack. It was a great opportunity for us to win the game by being fearless because there was no room left for holding ourselves back—we had to play risky cricket.

"As soon as we targeted him, we could see panic setting in—the way players were running around on the field.
"Pure emotion, man. We were so excited. That shot (off Haris Rauf) was like breaking the opponent’s back. When you stay in the fight, you stay in the hunt, and a lot of things start going your way. This is one of those iconic games that will always be remembered," Pandya said.
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