One of the closest contests between the teams occurred during the India vs Pakistan game of the T20 World Cup the previous year. India was falling behind in the match and needed 28 runs off the final eight balls to win, but Virat Kohli’s back-to-back sixes to Haris Rauf gave the team a boost.
While Kohli perfectly anticipated the second of the two sixes, the first one was a shot for the ages. Kohli made some space for himself before wildly ripping the ball over long-on for a six on a rising delivery from Haris Rauf.
One of the most spectacular shots ever made in cricket history by Kohli was a sight to behold, and given the state of the game at the time, the shot seemed much more remarkable.
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"Virat Kohli's six to Haris Rauf was not a difficult shot to hit. He just made room for himself and hit it straight. It was bowled at hard length and he could have hit it towards cover too. It was a good shot on a good ball," Pakistan bowler Sohail Khan.
— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) February 2, 2023
Pakistan pacer Sohail Khan erred while attempting to minimise the shot in a Nadir Ali YouTube video. The out-of-favor fast bowler had a “brain-fade” moment when asked to remark on the shot because he mistook Haris Rauf for the bowler who was hit by Kohli’s six. He claimed that Shaheen Afridi appeared to be the bowler.
“Jo chakka maara hai usne abhi Haris Rauf ko (Kohli). The host began, “Peeche hatt ke yun straight ka jo mara hai…(The straight six that Virat Kohli hit against Haris Rauf in the T20 World Cup by making space for himself),” but Sohail interrupted, “…wo mere khayal se Shaheen ko mara tha (That I think came on the bowling of Shaheen Afridi).”
Sohail was corrected by the host, who then requested his thoughts on the shot.
Chakke to lagte rehte hai. Nahi nahi. Koi bhi (mushkil) nahi. (Sixes do come in matches. It was not a difficult shot),”When asked how difficult the shot was, Sohail responded to the host.
