Virat Kohli scored an unbeaten 55 to help India get their World T20 campaign back on track with a six-wicket win over Pakistan at Eden Gardens.
It was a crucial victory for the host nation after losing their opening game against New Zealand.
Rain reduced the game to 18 overs a side as India sent Pakistan in to bat first. It wasn’t the greatest wicket for batting and Pakistan’s top three all struggled to score at a quick rate.
Umar Akmal (22 off 16) and Shoaib Malik (26 from 16) upped the tempo with a 41-run partnership but it couldn’t make up for the slow start as Pakistan only managed 118-5 in their 18 overs.
India’s chase started badly and they were soon struggling on 23-3 including a golden duck for Suresh Raina.
But then Kohli (55 off 37) and Yuvraj Singh (24 off 23) came together and calmed the nerves of a nation with a defining 61-run partnership which basically ensured the result for their team.
MS Dhoni joined Kohli in the middle after Singh’s dismissal and hit the winning runs with 13 balls to spare to restore a sense of normality to these parts.
Picture: AFP
