The Indian middle order's most trusted soldier Virat Kohli anchored a tricky chase to enable his side humble arch-rivals Pakistan by six wickets in a rain-curtailed World Twenty 20 group 2 tie at the packed Eden Gardens here on Saturday.
The hosts thus kept intact their all-win record against the neighbouring nation in World Cups.
Kohli top-scored with an unbeaten 55 of 37 balls, while captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni remained unconquered on 13. For Pakistan, Mohammad Sami returned figures of 2/17, as the visitors suffered their first loss to India at the historic venue in any limited over game.
Having set a target of 119 runs, Pakistan pacers were able to make early inroads in the famed Indian batting line-up.
Mohammed Amir claimed Rohit Sharma before Mohammad Sami uprooted the stumps of Shikhar Dhawan and Suresh Raina of consecutive deliveries. India were then tottering at 23/3 inside five overs.
Yuvraj Singh and Kohli -- the pair instrumental in India's Asia Cup victory against the same opponents a few weeks back -- then came together in a 61-run stand. They did not take any undue risk but pounced upon the loose balls. After 10 overs India had recovered to be at 60/3.
Thereafter, both batsmen delighted the crowd with some stupendous stroke play which included a monstrous hit from Yuvraj against Wahab Riaz. But the same shot led to his undoing four balls later.
What a photo! @SrBachchan, @sachin_rt and @juniorbachchan enjoy the #INDvPAK action at Eden Gardens! #WT20 pic.twitter.com/pFw673sNSU
— ICC (@ICC) March 19, 2016
Kohli then tried closing the innings in style with some scintillating boundaries against the likes of Amir and Shahid Afridi.
At the other end, skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni was content in running the singles and giving his partner the strike. But with seven runs needed Dhoni lofted Mohammad Irfan for a straight six.
Earlier, put into bat, Pakistan managed to set India an asking rate of 6.61 runs per over with Shoaib Malik (26) being the top scorer.
For India, spinners Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja returned economical figures of 0/12 and 1/20, respectively.
Off spinner Ashwin was able to get quite some purchase off the Eden strip from his very first over.
At the other end, Ashish Nehra and Jasprit Bumrah were able to keep a tight leash on the willowers, who managed only 24 in their power play of five overs.
Part-time off spinner Suresh Raina Athen got rid of Sharjeel. The left-hander's mistimed loft was gobbled up by Hardik Pandya who took an outstanding catch diving forward much to the delight of the 67,000 vociferous supporters.
Shahid Afridi promoted himself up the batting order to have a go, but he too found it difficult coping with the turn.
Shahzad, feeling the pressure at the other end, tried a heave against Bumrah but only managed to get it to point, where Jadeja took the catch running back a few steps.
After 10 overs, the visitors were 51/2.
With the innings running out of steam, Afridi (8) tried to belt a few against the inexperienced Hardik Pandya. But his first hoik against the youngster ended straight down the throat of Virat Kohli at long on, in the 12th over.
Malik and Umar Akmal then got together to carry forward the innings. The duo struck Pandya for 15 runs in the 14th over which included two big sixes.
But then, Akmal (22) and Malik departed in quick succession which pegged Pakistan back further.
HOLI SETS IN EARLY AS KOHLI SETS TWITTER ABUZZ
As India clobbered Pakistan to clinch a win in the World Twenty20 match at the Eden Gardens here on Saturday -- days ahead of Holi -- off-the-pitch celebrations took a colourful turn with the hashtag "BuraNaManoKohliHai" reflecting the euphoria around Indian cricketer Virat Kohli's stellar contribution.
Extending its hegemony over Pakistan in World Cup matches, India chased down 119 to register an emphatic six-wicket win over the arch rivals in their rain-curtailed World Twenty20 Group 2 encounter at the Eden Gardens.
Virat Kohli scored an unbeaten 55 off 37 balls as India chased down the target with 15 balls remaining to extend their unbeaten record against Pakistan in all World Cups to 11 matches.
India holds on its records against pakistan....
— sakshi sharma (@sakshisharmame1) March 19, 2016
Celebrations at rajwada indore#buranamanokohlihai pic.twitter.com/gvcU46Crpf
Wishing in advance for Holi (which would be celebrated with more fervour because of the victory) fans poured out their ecstasy on microblogging platform Twitter. It seemed as if the festivities had already begun.
"@imVkohli: Happy Holi :)"Happy Holi#BuraNaManoKohliHai," wished a netizen.
😆😆#IndvsPak #BuraNaManoKohliHai #BharatMataKiJay pic.twitter.com/bzT5d1lbuC
— Nikita Parashar (@Nikita197j) March 19, 2016
The popular expression "Bura Na Mano Holi Hai" refers to "do not feel offended, it is Holi" and is common during India's most colourful festival when revellers generously douse one another in powdered and water-based colours.
Post win, fans replaced Holi with Kohli mirroring the significance of the competition between the two time-honoured cricketing rivals.
"To Pakistan- #BuraNaManoKohliHai YY #IndvsPak," chirped another.
Riste me to hum tumhare baap lagte hai #IndvsPak
— Hemang Joshi (@hemster) March 19, 2016
#buranamanokohlihai pic.twitter.com/MMJyRf8g5Z
Union Minister of Science and Technology Harsh Vardhan also heaped praise.
"Congratulations India - always a great feeling when u score victory. Proud of you Virat Kohli. Good luck for all future matches. Keep it up," Vardhan tweeted.
Megastar Amitabh Bachchan, who sang the Indian National Anthem ahead of match, animatedly waved the tricolour after the win.
TWITTER TROLLS SHAFQAT AMANAT ALI FOR GETTING PAKISTANI NATIONAL ANTHEM 'WRONG'
To mark the historic occasion, Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan and Pakistan singer Shafqat Amanat Ali were present in the Eden Gardens stadium alongside the two teams to sing their respective national anthems before the action kicked off.
But many fans in Pakistan were not pleased with Shafqat’s performance as Twitter overflowed with messages of disappointment.
Was it me or did the magnitude of the moment get to Shafqat Amanat Ali and he sang terribly pic.twitter.com/yClaT1PMXJ
— omar r quraishi (@omar_quraishi) March 19, 2016
After all that riyaaz, the actor @SrBachchan sounds more in tune than the singer Shafqat Amanat Ali.
— Hasan Zaidi (@hyzaidi) March 19, 2016
MODI CONGRATULATES INDIAN CRICKET TEAM
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the Indian cricket team for its victory against Pakistan in the World Twenty20 match on Saturday.
"Congratulations Team India for the amazing victory. #IndvsPak," Modi tweeted from his personal handle.
Congratulations Team India for the amazing victory. #IndvsPak
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 19, 2016
Extending its hegemony over Pakistan in World Cups, India chased down 119 to register an emphatic six-wicket win over the arch rivals in their rain-curtailed encounter at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Saturday.
