Kohli ´overwhelmed´ after leading India to victory over Australia

Virat Kohli said he was “overwhelmed” after his man-of-the-match performance saw India knock Australia out of the World Twenty20 on Sunday.

Kohli hit an unbeaten 82 from 51 deliveries to help India chase down a target of 161 against Australia in Mohali, which secured a semi-final berth at their opponents’ expense.

The 27-year-old was emotional after the match and rated the innings as one of, if not the best of his career.

“This is what you play cricket for,” Kohli said. “This innings has to be in my top three, perhaps the top right now because I’m a bit emotional.

“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.

“You need new challenges in every game, but trust me, you don’t like these situations too much.”

India looked to be struggling at 94-4 after 14 overs but a 67-run stand between Kohli and captain MS Dhoni (18 not out from 10 balls) saw India to victory in Group 2.

“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,” Kohli added.

“It was a bit tough at that time to focus on what we need to do.”