In a thrilling showdown in the foothills of Dhauladhar, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli exorcised their left-arm bowling demons, propelling India to their first win over New Zealand in ICC tournaments in two decades.
Rohit Sharma, who had a heart-wrenching exit four years ago during the World Cup 2019, was in the stands, witnessing Ravindra Jadeja and MS Dhoni’s determined effort. Rohit, the star of the 2019 World Cup with over 650 runs and five centuries, had faced a rare failure, getting out to Matt Henry. Despite the disappointment, Rohit never wavered in his support. He could be seen flexing his muscles and encouraging Jadeja, a heartwarming sight.
Virat Kohli, too, had suffered a dismal outing during that World Cup. Trent Boult had dismissed him for just 1 run, leading to a frustrating outburst. The despair continued as Rishabh Pant played a rash shot and departed, and the anguish reached its peak when MS Dhoni was run out. This was just the beginning of Virat Kohli’s heartbreak against New Zealand, as they defeated India twice more, including the World Test Championship final. The Kiwis seemed to be India’s perennial ‘bogey’ team in ICC events.
On October 22, 2023, the stage may not have been as grand as a knockout match, but it held immense significance. This was a World Cup, and India needed to shake off the 20-year-old curse that had haunted them. Memes of Trent Boult flooded the internet before the Dharamsala game, reminding everyone of India’s struggles against left-arm bowlers. The anticipation reached a fever pitch when Boult hinted at expecting fireworks himself.
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, however, were having none of it. They shattered preconceived notions, facing their respective tormentors with determination. Left-arm pace for Rohit and left-arm spin for Kohli. Virat Kohli’s aggressive approach at the top has been a key factor in India’s World Cup success. After eight balls of cautious play and one close call, Rohit seemed to tell himself, “Enough of this, let me do what I do best, left-arm or not.” Rohit’s unique side-on stance enabled him to handle left-arm pace effectively. He had already demonstrated this against Shaheen Afridi during the Asia Cup and the World Cup, and now it was Trent Boult’s turn. Rohit went into overdrive, smashing a lofted six over the sightscreen. While the equation seemed tight, Rohit clearly emerged as the victor, not allowing Boult to settle and easing some of India’s painful memories.
However, Rohit’s real payback came against Matt Henry, who had dismissed him in the 2019 World Cup semifinals. Rohit’s assault on the New Zealand pacer was reminiscent of what Sachin Tendulkar had done to Henry Olonga 25 years ago in Sharjah. Rohit’s innings featured two sixes, both executed while stepping out to the fast bowler, mirroring a classic Tendulkar move. The absence of significant swing in New Zealand’s favor allowed Rohit to regain his free-flowing, aggressive self. While Henry was causing trouble for Shubman Gill, beating him repeatedly, Rohit was the star of the show.
Boult, who had dismissed Rohit Sharma on four previous occasions, conceded runs at a rate of 7 an over, and Henry at 6. India was dictating the chase, with their captain looking unstoppable once more. Mitchell Santner was the only bowler who posed some problems for Rohit, but even he couldn’t escape a Rohit Sharma six.
To counter the threat of Santner’s left-arm spin, India had a plan, and that plan was called Kohli. Kohli had struggled against left-arm spinners, but he was determined to change that. From 28 off 47, Virat Kohli accelerated to reach 50 off 60, scoring 22 runs in 13 balls. Kohli faced the uncertainty of Rachin Ravindra, whom he was encountering for the first time, and what better way to break free than by smashing an inside-out six. This marked Kohli’s third six against left-arm spinners in 53 balls, a significant improvement compared to his previous record of one six in 159 balls since January 2022.
The required run rate was never above 6, and Virat Kohli demonstrated his mastery in chasing down such targets, sealing the victory. Despite some tense moments, Kohli remained composed and guided the team to a win.
Virat and Rohit’s revenge was as icy as the Dhauladhar mountains in the background, breaking a 20-year-long hoodoo and creating an unforgettable moment in Indian cricket history.
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