Another Virat Kohli masterclass helped India beat Australia by six wickets in Mohali and seal their berth in the semi-final on Thursday against West Indies. After winning the toss and electing to bat, Australia finished on 160/6 but an unbeaten 82 from Kohli saw India home with five balls to spare.
Also read: India vs Australia World T20 2016 Highlights: Virat Kohli does it again
After getting to 50 off just 22 balls, the visitors would have been disappointed at having just scored 160, but despite losing both openers, Kohli saw India home as he marshalled the perfect run chase.
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Dhoni kept me calm: Kohli
Virat Kohli was the man of the match and this is what he said: "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."
Indian captain MS 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."
Australian captain Steve 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.”
Here are the reactions from the cricketing fraternity:
Tributes were pouring in for Virat Kohli, who was the mastermind of another chase:
Sachin Tendulkar:
England international Harry Kane:
Anil Kumble:
Andrew Flintoff:
Shane Warne:
Russel Arnold:
Mitchell Johnson was made to eat humble pie:
Scott Styris:
Murali Kartik:
Graeme Smith:
Michael Vaughan:
After the initial onslaught, many feared the worst for India.
Murali Kartik:
Former England captain Michael Vaughan:
Brian Lara:
But as the bowlers brought the game back, opinions began to change, Anil Kumble:
James Taylor was one of the few Englishmen going for an Indian win:
Legendary Australian spinner Shane Warne:
Subramaniam Badrinath:
Aakash Chopra:
Many agreed that Virat Kohli was key, Michael Vaughan:
Tom Moody:
Mohammad Kaif:
Australian women's cricketer Alyssa Healy:
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