Sublime Kohli knocks out Australia

India v Australia, World T20 2016, Group 2, Mohali
Usman Khawaja gave his team a swift start after Australia chose to bat in their knockout match against India© AFP
© AFPUsman Khawaja gave his team a swift start after Australia chose to bat in their knockout match against India
Aaron Finch's bat also left the bowlers in the dust, as the score raced to 54 for 0 in four overs© Associated Press
© Associated PressAaron Finch's bat also left the bowlers in the dust, as the score raced to 54 for 0 in four overs
India fans, who had very little to cheer about till then, found their voice when Ashish Nehra had Khawaja caught behind for 26© Associated Press
© Associated PressIndia fans, who had very little to cheer about till then, found their voice when Ashish Nehra had Khawaja caught behind for 26
Then David Warner was done in by R Ashwin for 6 off 9 balls© AFP
© AFPThen David Warner was done in by R Ashwin for 6 off 9 balls
The spinners' waltz: Yuvraj Singh picked up a wicket with his first ball of the tournament, and it was the big one of Steven Smith© AFP
© AFPThe spinners' waltz: Yuvraj Singh picked up a wicket with his first ball of the tournament, and it was the big one of Steven Smith
Smith, though, was quite unhappy with the umpire ruling him out caught behind and Australia were 74 for 3 in the 10th over© Getty Images
© Getty ImagesSmith, though, was quite unhappy with the umpire ruling him out caught behind and Australia were 74 for 3 in the 10th over
Glenn Maxwell played a responsible innings - even if it included a wild switch hit for six. He had 31 off 28 balls when he missed a Jasprit Bumrah slower ball in the 17th over© AFP
© AFPGlenn Maxwell played a responsible innings - even if it included a wild switch hit for six. He had 31 off 28 balls when he missed a Jasprit Bumrah slower ball in the 17th over
Shane Watson was put under the spotlight, but he did quite fine in his new role of finisher© Getty Images
© Getty ImagesShane Watson was put under the spotlight, but he did quite fine in his new role of finisher
Hardik Pandya was given the final over again, but this time he conceded two fours and a six© Getty Images
© Getty ImagesHardik Pandya was given the final over again, but this time he conceded two fours and a six
Watson and Peter Nevill took Australia from 130 for 5 in 16.3 overs to 160 by the time the 20th was done© Getty Images
© Getty ImagesWatson and Peter Nevill took Australia from 130 for 5 in 16.3 overs to 160 by the time the 20th was done
Shikhar Dhawan gave India a steady start in the chase...© AFP
© AFPShikhar Dhawan gave India a steady start in the chase...
... before falling to Nathan Coulter-Nile© AFP
© AFP... before falling to Nathan Coulter-Nile
Watson accounted for Dhawan's opening partner, Rohit Sharma, two overs later© Associated Press
© Associated PressWatson accounted for Dhawan's opening partner, Rohit Sharma, two overs later
Watson struck once again to remove Suresh Raina in his next over as India were reduced to 49 for 3© AFP
© AFPWatson struck once again to remove Suresh Raina in his next over as India were reduced to 49 for 3
Virat Kohli and Yuvraj Singh then went about rebuilding India's innings with a 45-run partnership© Associated Press
© Associated PressVirat Kohli and Yuvraj Singh then went about rebuilding India's innings with a 45-run partnership
Yuvraj, though, picked up an ankle injury during his stay at the crease...© Getty Images
© Getty ImagesYuvraj, though, picked up an ankle injury during his stay at the crease...
... before a Watson stunner ended his innings for 21© Associated Press
© Associated Press... before a Watson stunner ended his innings for 21
India's asking rate kept soaring in the slog overs, but Kohli kept his cool as he was joined by MS Dhoni© AFP
© AFPIndia's asking rate kept soaring in the slog overs, but Kohli kept his cool as he was joined by MS Dhoni
With 39 required off the last three overs, Kohli unleashed a lethal attack on James Faulkner, taking the left-arm pacer for 19 runs in the 18th over© Associated Press
© Associated PressWith 39 required off the last three overs, Kohli unleashed a lethal attack on James Faulkner, taking the left-arm pacer for 19 runs in the 18th over
In the next over, he took Coulter-Nile for 16 runs, and India needed just four off the last over© Getty Images
© Getty ImagesIn the next over, he took Coulter-Nile for 16 runs, and India needed just four off the last over
As he has done on many occasions, Dhoni hit the winning runs for India© AFP
© AFPAs he has done on many occasions, Dhoni hit the winning runs for India
Kohli eventually ended on 82 not out off 51 balls, taking India into the semi-final against West Indies in Mumbai, while Australia were knocked out© Associated Press
© Associated PressKohli eventually ended on 82 not out off 51 balls, taking India into the semi-final against West Indies in Mumbai, while Australia were knocked out
At the end of the match, the Australia side clapped off Watson as he stepped off the field for the last time in Australia colours© Getty Images
© Getty ImagesAt the end of the match, the Australia side clapped off Watson as he stepped off the field for the last time in Australia colours
While Kohli, on the other hand, received a hero's welcome in the India camp© IDI/Getty Images
© IDI/Getty ImagesWhile Kohli, on the other hand, received a hero's welcome in the India camp

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  • Santosh on March 28, 2016, 19:00 GMT

    @ ceaser...because team selection was decided and he was included in the playing 11 by indian selection committee. All jokes apart...i get what you are saying. Rain plays one amazing inning, always, thats why hes in. Same with dhawan.

  •   Caesar Fernandes on March 28, 2016, 10:28 GMT

    Can someone please explain to me how Raina is in the team and manish pandey isn't ?

  •   Satish Sonar on March 28, 2016, 9:59 GMT

    I think Dhoni giving to much chances to Raina and Dhavan and not selecting inform Rahane Total injustice to Rahane Success of brilient Virat would not seen Dhoni's mistake . but if Virat fail then this will cost to India.

  • Dhanesh on March 28, 2016, 8:28 GMT

    Time for Raina to give way for Rahane. I am not saying end of road for Raina. Take a break and come back strong. The same with Dhawan.

  • Rajith on March 28, 2016, 7:04 GMT

    although we win..but how long one guy only win u matches? dont knw team management still persist with dhawan, we never short of talents...guys like uthappa, manish pandey, unmukt chand waiting in the wings....and they are super fielders also...dhawan really a burden now

  • Senthil on March 28, 2016, 5:35 GMT

    I almost think India gets bored against teams that don't show aggressive intent like the Aussies. Something switches on with this Indian team when they're up against it. But T20 is fickle, except for Kohli's consistency! Faulkner looked a fraction of the bowler who bowled against Pakistan for one simple reason - Kohli.

    Even though Kohli has done the bulk of the scoring, India's batting line up just needs to get one slightly better strip in one game, so the free flowing batsmen can get some good hits going. At the moment, it is almost as if three wickets in the first seven overs is a given. Kohli's role is to anchor down, and he is doing it beautifully, and the others have to have a go, and they're perishing around him, but thankfully they're not wasting deliveries. It's only twenty overs, so the small partnerships also have contributed.

  • RAVISHGOWDA on March 28, 2016, 4:28 GMT

    First of all Congratualations to Virat Kohli, M.S.Dhoni & Team India, It is a Real genuine Victory In the contest between SPD Smith Vs Virat Kohli this time Virat Kohli win , The great plesure to Virat, Thank you Kohli and Team India , especially many many thanks to Great Captain MSD

  • Anand on March 28, 2016, 0:13 GMT

    Forgive me. I should have stated semi-final.

  • Anand on March 28, 2016, 0:05 GMT

    Superb game. Of course the better team won. Eagerly looking forward to the quarter-final. Hail Kohli and congratulations to India on a wonderful victory.

  • titch on March 27, 2016, 20:58 GMT

    Kohli please come and play for Zimbabwe...

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