'A lot of people ask me what were you thinking'- Virat Kohli reveals secret behind match winning knock against Pakistan in 20-20 World Cup

Virat Kohli Rahul Dravid

In the lead-up to the 2022 20-20 World Cup, Virat Kohli had faced heavy criticism for his form and had been questioned about his place in the Indian T20I side. The former India captain was going through a rough patch in his career, with his international century drought adding to his struggles. However, following a break, Kohli made a stunning return in the Asia Cup, scoring his maiden T20I century before going on to produce a magical performance at the MCG against Pakistan in the T20 World Cup.

Recalling that innings, Kohli admitted that he still can't make sense of it. He explained that he was under so much pressure that his mind had shut off completely by the 12th or 13th over, and he had paid no heed to head coach Rahul Dravid's advice at the break.

“I still can't make any sense of it. That's a very honest admission. And a lot of people have tried to ask me what were you thinking, how did you plan and I have no answers. The fact of the matter is that I was so much under pressure that my mind had shut off completely by the 12th or 13th over," said Kohli.

"I was going through what I was going through, then I came back in Asia Cup and I was playing well and I felt like wow I'm ready to play in this World Cup. At the 10th over mark, we were 31 for 4 and I had just run Axar out. I was 12 off 25, or something. I remember in the break, Rahul bhai came to me and I don't remember what he said. I swear and I even told him this as well. I told him, ‘I have no idea what you told me in that break because I was zoned out’,” he added.

Whatever God-given talent I have, that came to the surface- Kohli

With his mind completely shutting down, Kohli said his instincts took over during that knock of ages. He believed it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for him and that it was unlikely to happen again in his career.

“My mind was spinning so fast...I was like this is worse than it was before. I had spiralled down so far down that there is no comeback from here and that was my honest feeling at the halfway mark. That is when my instinct took over. So when I stopped thinking and planning, whatever God-given talent I have that came to the surface and then I felt like something higher was guiding me. I can't claim any of that. I was trying to do it before as well but it wasn't working. The lesson for me was stop using your mind so much because it actually pushes you away from real magic. What happened that night, I can never explain it and it won't happen ever again.”

Kohli's unbeaten 82 helped India to a memorable win against Pakistan, with images of that innings and of those iconic sixes still vivid and videos being watched by ardent followers. However, Kohli's admission that he can't explain how or why he produced that innings only adds to the mystique and wonder of that unforgettable night in Melbourne.