On This Day: Virat Kohli’s iconic ‘Shot of the Century’ left entire Pakistan in awe | Cricket News

NEW DELHI: Two years ago today, cricket fans around the world witnessed an unforgettable moment when Virat Kohli executed one of the most stunning shots in cricket history during the India vs Pakistan match at the 2022 T20 World Cup.
His remarkable straight drive six off Pakistan pacer Haris Rauf was so spectacular that even the ICC dubbed it the ‘Shot of the Century.’
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) took to X to remember Kohli’s brilliance, stating, “Virat Kohli’s iconic 82* in a roller coaster encounter powered #TeamIndia to a memorable win in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022.”

With India in a precarious position, needing 28 runs off just eight balls, Kohli’s performance became a beacon of hope.
At the time, Rauf was bowling exceptionally well, but Kohli turned the tide by smashing two sixes off his deliveries.

The first was a breathtaking back-foot punch that soared down the ground, a moment that captured the hearts of fans and analysts alike.
However, it was that tennis-like shot out of the park that mesmerised every eye.
Kohli’s unbeaten 83 runs off 52 balls proved pivotal as India secured a thrilling four-wicket victory over their arch-rivals.
Haris Rauf himself later acknowledged Kohli’s extraordinary talent, stating in an interview, “That was his class and the kind of shots that he plays, and the two sixes that he hit, I don’t think any other player could hit those kind of shots,” He reminisced about the game, admitting that he was taken aback by Kohli’s first six, noting, “Had Dinesh Karthik or Hardik Pandya hit me like that, I would have been hurt but that was Kohli, and that’s different class.”