When T20 cricket was in its infancy, the focus was on batsmen to score runs quickly. Those who could smash the ball long and hard were deemed valuable assets. The following decade and a half has changed that perception. One of the flag-bearers of the shift in approach to viewing T20 batting is Virat Kohli. The modern-day legend has shown that unorthodoxy and power-hitting are not necessary to be successful, and one can still score quickly through textbook batting skills. One such quintessential display was his innings against Pakistan in the World T20 in 2016.

The lights had taken full effect at the Eden gardens, the ball was jagging around, the team was in desperation, Pakistan bowlers were bowling with their tails up. India, chasing a paltry 119, had seen its top order dismantled. Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, and Suresh Raina all back in the hut with only 23 runs on the board. The situation demanded cautious aggression. India couldn’t have gone into complete attack or into a defensive shell. Virat Kohli provided the blueprint to anchor the perfect run chase.

Virat Kohli’s greatness lies in his attitude of never backing away from a challenge

Virat Kohli’s innings are built around rotating strike, stealing singles, converting ones into twos and in the process accumulating runs at a steady rate. Virat faced 37 deliveries in the innings of which he didn’t score only off 9. The innings also included 19 singles. The knock also consisted of seven fours and a six. Kohli had managed to avert the danger of the effervescent Pakistani fast bowling lineup, taken the team to safety in a crucial fourth-wicket stand with Yuvraj Singh, and eventually finished off the game alongside skipper M.S.Dhoni. 

The greatness of Kohli lies in the fact that he never backs away from a challenge, and more often than not, comes out on top. Playing against a fearsome bowling attack, in front of packed Eden gardens, in a World T20 game against the arch-rivals is the pinnacle of the game, which every player dreams of performing in. Kohli is no different, but he consistently thrives under such circumstances. 

"It was a challenging wicket, that's what you want as a cricketer, new challenges to play," Kohli said. "Last game I was very disappointed to have got out, that really hurt. Even the 49 against Pakistan in Dhaka was really satisfying, that's what you need, a tough pitch a good bowling attack and you pulling your team out of trouble.”

Virat has gained the reputation of being a master at run-chases. There’s no one better at it than him, and the world stood witness to it on 19th March 2016. A master exhibited his art for the whole world to admire in awe.