Virat Kohli has admitted that his unbeaten knock of 82 against Australia in Group 2 clash of the ICC T20 World Cup 2016 at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium in Mohali on Sunday was his best batting performance in T20 format.
The right-handed batsman walked into the crease after in the fourth over after Shikhar Dhawan was dismissed early in the innings. His opening partner Rohit Sharma and Suresh Raina were also sent back to the pavilion after failing to build on partnerships with Kohli.
Yuvraj Singh looked like he could get going, but an ankle injury during his batting hampered his and also Kohli's momentum. Following the departure of the former batsman, MS Dhoni and Kohli put on an unbeaten partnership to make sure India defeated Australia to seal a semi-final berth.
"It certainly has to be in the top three. Probably the top right now, because I'm a bit emotional, so I would like to put this on top," Kohli said, as quoted by ESPN Cricinfo.
"Against Australia, a world-class side, literally a quarter-final for us, we had to go over the line. There's a lot riding on us in this World Cup, we are playing at home and the crowds want to see us and we just want to give them as much entertainment and fun as possible."
"I don't really know what to say right now, because I'm overwhelmed by the position we were in and then to take out the match," Kohli said. "This is what you play cricket for. You need new challenges in every game, but trust me, you don't like these situations too much."
"MS, in the end, kept me calm. I could have gotten over-excited so I think it was a wonderful team batting effort and very happy we crossed the line."