'I think some spirit went inside him' - R Ashwin shares on-field moments with Virat Kohli in Pakistan clash

Virat Kohli and Ravichandran Ashwin: (Image Source: Twitter)

Virat Kohli’s unbeaten 82 at Melbourne against Pakistan on October 23rd has been the talk of the town for the last couple of days. The fans are yet to come out of the thundering innings that helped India crush the rivals while chasing a target of 160.

With just two runs required off the last ball, Ravichandran Ashwin let the ball slide towards the leg side and bagged a wide off Mohammad Nawaz’s delivery. He then hit the ball just over mid-off, scored the winning runs for India, and ensured that Kohli’s innings did not go in vain.

Commenting on the same on his YouTube channel, Ashwin said that Kohli batted like a beast and looked as if a spirit had entered his body on a high-octane day. Further, the off-spinner commented on the climate in Melbourne and said that it was extremely cold.

“It was extremely cold and hostile that day in the MCG. It was extremely cold for a cricket match. Even while playing, our hands got extremely numb. As a spinner, I felt it extremely difficult to grip the ball. It took time to settle into a rhythm in that cold weather,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.

Virat was so pumped up: Ashwin

The veteran spinner also opened up on the thought process that went behind in the dressing room after India lost 4 quick wickets early in the innings.

“I think we were 45/4 at the 10-over mark. I was padded up from the 3rd over itself, just to go as a powerplay enforcer if wickets fell early. ‘Where was this game going towards, What will everyone say’ these were some of the thoughts,” said Ashwin further.

Opening up on Kohli, Ashwin said that the batter played a phenomenal knock and added that he was pumped up when he entered the crease to face the final ball of the match.

“Coming to Virat Kohli, I really think some spirit went inside him that day. What a knock! When I went to bat, 2 runs were required from 1 ball, Virat was so pumped up and told me to get those runs,” said the spinner further.

With regards to the wide, Ashwin said that he left it on purpose and added that he knew that it would slide towards the leg slide. Further, the Indian spinner said that the extra run eased the pressure off him and it made things easier for him to score the winning run.

“The moment I saw the ball going down the leg side, I decided not to have any business playing it and decided to leave it alone and got one run for the wide. As soon as I got that run, I was so happy. Now, no one will throw any stones at my home,” Ashwin concluded.