Twitterati hailed Virat Kohli after the talismanic Indian batter scripted history on Wednesday. With his match-winning knock of 64* of 44 balls against Bangladesh at the Adelaide Oval, Virat Kohli surpassed Sri Lanka’s Mahela Jayawardena to become the highest scorer in T20 World Cups. While Mahela Jayawardena retired with a total of 1,016 runs in 31 knocks in the world’s best T20 tournament, Virat Kohli has now scored 1,065 runs in the competition. What’s more, the former India captain also has the highest average and most 50+ scores in T20 World Cup history.

 

Before the game against the Shakib Al Hasan-led side, Virat Kohli was 16-runs shy of Mahela Jayawardena’s record in T20 World Cups. However, ever since his arrival in Australia, the Delhi-born batter has been in prime form, playing some splendid knocks already in the tourney.

Wednesday was no different for Virat Kohli as he kept the Indian innings together and then lifted his game in the final few overs to remain unbeaten on 64.

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This was his third fifty in this edition of the T20 World Cup, after having played possibly the best-ever knock in the format against Pakistan late last month. He followed his match-defining 82* with another fifty against the Netherlands last week.

Despite Virat Kohli’s brilliant batting performance, the game went down the wire with Bangladesh opener Liton Das providing the early flourish to his side as he raced through to a 21-ball fifty.

Luckily for India, a direct hit from KL Rahul brought an end to his innings. Once Liton Das was back in the hut, India turned the tide back in their favor and not only won the match but also went top of the table as well.

Virat Kohli who was declared the Man of the Match after India’s win was pretty happy with his display in the contest before emphasizing that he was enjoying his batting at the moment.

“Pretty close game, not as close as we would’ve liked it to be. It was another good day with the bat I guess, was trying to play myself into the innings. When I went in there was pressure, was watching the ball well. I’m just in a happy space, I don’t want to compare anything. What’s in the past is in the past. As soon as I knew the WC was in Australia, I was grinning from ear to ear. I knew good cricketing shots would be the key. I knew the kind of experience and game awareness of having played in Australia will come in handy for the team. I absolutely love playing in this ground. Right from the nets at the back, as soon as I enter, it makes me feel at home. That knock at MCG was meant to be, but when I come here, it’s like I’m meant to come to Adelaide and enjoy my batting,” Virat Kohli said in the post-match presentation ceremony.

Meanwhile, India skipper Rohit Sharma credited the entire team for the victory over Bangladesh. However, Rohit Sharma reserved rich praise for Arshdeep Singh, Virat Kohli, and KL Rahul.

While KL Rahul returned to form with a majestic 32-ball half-century against the Bangla Tigers at the Adelaide Oval, Virat Kohli played another splendid knock of 64* off 44 balls to help India post a total of 184/6 on the board.

But it was the young Arshdeep Singh who kept his calm under tremendous pressure during the closing stages of the contest. With Bangladesh needing 20 to win in the final over which eventually came down to 7 off the last ball, Arshdeep Singh bowled a fine yorker to keep the batsman down to a single, securing a 5-run win for India.

“I was calm and nervous at the same time, but it was important to stay calm as a group to execute. Shortened games can go either way, but we held our nerves well after the game started, it was a good win in the end. Arshdeep, when he came into the scene, we asked him to do the death overs Jon for us. With Bumrah not there, it was a tough job for someone to take up. For a young guy to come and do that kind of a job is not easy, we’ve prepared him. He’s been doing it for 8-9 months. I had to back someone who had been doing it regularly, it was a choice between Shami and Arshdeep. In my mind, Kohli was always there. It was just a matter of few innings here and there, and he hasn’t looked back since the Asia Cup. The guy has so much experience. The way KL batted as well, it was important for him and the team. We know what sort of player he is at the top of the order. Some of the catches we took today was great to watch. When you’re playing in front of a big crowd it’s not easy. To take those catches, it shows the character of the guys. I have no doubts over our fielding abilities,” Rohit Sharma said after India’s triumph.