ICC World Twenty20: How Virat Kohli battled body pain to carry India to final

For Virat Kohli, there is no greater joy than winning for India. In the ICC World Twenty20 semis against South Africa, he showed even physical pain is no obstacle when it comes to battling for his side.

Virat Kohli hit an unbeaten 72 off 44 balls to help India beat South Africa and set up a title clash against Sri Lanka in the ICC World Twenty20 . That he was battling not just a world-class bowling attack but body pain too hardly showed as he hit five fours and two sixes to showcase his passion for the game and wins.

Chasing 173, Virat Kohli steadied India's innings after a well-set Rohit Sharma fell on 24. The 25-year-old began watchfully but switched gears effortlessly to finish on a high. "I wasn't feeling too good before this game, had body ache. It was great to get all of that out while playing," he said at the post-match ceremony. "It feels great to reach the final." (Scorecard | Highlights )

Kohli also said that he was in a rush to finish the match as he knew South Africa could pull things their way without a warning. "I wanted to finish the game in the 19th over itself. I had told Raina that Dale Steyn shouldn't be given eight overs to defend in the final over. He can bowl six yorkers," he revealed. "That's how I play T20Is. I look at overs and runs, not balls and runs."

Kohli now becomes the highest individual scorer in the tournament with 242 runs from five matches - at an average of 121 runs.

Story first published on: Friday, 04 April 2014 21:51

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Shweta Pandey

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