‘Predictor showed only 2-3% chance’ – Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav recall India’s miraculous 2022 T20 World Cup triumph over Pakistan

Virat Kohli. (Photo Source: Philip Brown/Popperfoto/Popperfoto via Getty Images)

Indian skipper Rohit Sharma and star batter Suryakumar Yadav reflected on one of cricket’s most memorable moments when India registered an extraordinary victory over Pakistan in the 2022 T20 World Cup at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). The iconic match, which took place two years ago on October 23, 2022, is one of the greatest T20 internationals ever played.

The excitement level couldn’t have been higher as arch-rivals India and Pakistan faced off at the iconic MCG in front of 90,000 spectators. Pakistan, batting first, set a target of 160 runs. India’s chase got off to a disappointing start, with the team struggling at 31/4 inside seven overs. It was at this point that Suryakumar, dismissed for 15, saw the proceedings from dugout as the win predictor displayed just a 2 to 3% chance of an Indian victory.

“When we were four down, I was sitting in the dugout. [I] saw the screen and win predictor showed only 2 to 3 percent and then Virat and Hardik stitched that partnership a very good partnership there. It changed everything,” Suryakumar said in the video posted on ICC.

Also Read: On This Day in T20 World Cup History: Virat Kohli led India to win over Pakistan in 2022

I came out and enjoyed that moment as well: Rohit Sharma

Virat Kohli and Hardik Pandya managed one of the greatest rescues, stitching a brilliant 113-run partnership for the fifth wicket. Pandya’s 40 off 37 provided the perfect support for Kohli, who went on to play one of the finest T20 innings ever seen.

With India requiring 48 runs in the last three overs, Kohli took on Pakistan’s premier bowlers. He slammed Shaheen Afridi in the 18th over, picking three boundaries, before producing two remarkable sixes against Haris Rauf in the penultimate over. Meanwhile, Rohit revealed a different side to his personality during these tense moments.

“90,000 people in the stadium. We were in a bit of trouble with our bat. We lost a couple of wickets early. I am a very nervous person. I was sitting inside the changing room, not watching it live because obviously, it was quite tense when the last over was being bowled. But, I came out and enjoyed that moment as well,” Rohit said.

The last over, bowled by Mohammad Nawaz with 16 runs required, provided an impressive climax to the clash. Despite losing Pandya off the first ball, Kohli‘s six off a no-ball kept the Men in Blue’s hopes alive. The match went down till the final delivery, where R Ashwin’s cool-headed chip shot sealed a famous four-wicket victory for India.

Suryakumar summed up the team’s victory aptly: “Can’t say we were very sure that we are going to win that game, but we were definitely back in the competition,”.