ICC T20 World Cup 2016: 5 Hits and 5 Misses from the Super 10 Stage

Hit: Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli was in supreme form with the bat

Indian Batting = Virat Kohli.

Given the way Virat performed in the group stage, this would not be an overstatement. Each time the Indian batting got into a spot of bother, India’s number 3 was there to save the day.

It was his singlehanded brilliance that ensured that India got out of the woods despite making a poor start to the tournament. In 4 games, India’s vice-captain slammed 184 runs at an average of 92 and a strike rate of 132.37.

In the game against Pakistan, India were in a spot of bother as they were reduced to 23/3 in pursuit of a target of 118 in 18 overs. However, in conditions suited for bowlers, the 27-year old kept his cool and forged a crucial partnership with Yuvraj Singh.

Even after Yuvraj’s dismissal, he did not lose his focus and took the Indian team over the line in the company of captain MS Dhoni. In the subsequent game versus Bangladesh, he wasn’t at his fluent best. However, on a wicket which wasn’t the best for batting, he kept the scoreboard ticking by working the ball around in gaps.

India’s game against Australia was a virtual quarter-final. Australia set a stiff target of 161 and had India on the ropes at 49/3.

In the company of an injured Yuvraj Singh, Kohli steered the Indian batting towards stability. Yuvraj’s injury meant that the running between the wickets wasn’t great during the partnership.

However, once Yuvraj departed and Dhoni came in, both Kohli and Dhoni ran like hares between the wicket. During the final overs, Virat cut loose as he played an array of exquisite shots to take the Men in Blue to the semi-finals.