Virat Kohli's match-winning knock of an unbeaten 82 off 53 balls against Pakistan in the T20 World Cup match in Melbourne today has drawn wholesome praise from across the country's political spectrum.
While Kohli himself said "It just happens", commenting on today's incredible victory, leaders of political parties were full of appreciation for the former India captain's sparkling knock and the Indian team's resilience that made a near-impossible possible.
Hailing India's victory as heralding the Diwali festivities, Union Home Minister Amit Shah tweeted: "A perfect way to start the T20 World Cup. Deepawali begins. What a cracking innings by @imVKohli. Congratulations to the entire team."
A perfect way to start the T20 World Cup...Deepawali begins :)
What a cracking innings by @imVkohli.
Congratulations to the entire team. #ICCT20WorldCup2022
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) October 23, 2022Referring to India's win as "one of the greatest victories under pressure", former Congress President Rahul Gandhi wished the team "best of luck" for the upcoming matches in the tournament.
What a thriller of a match against Pakistan!
One of the greatest victories under pressure. Well done, #TeamIndia
Best of luck for the matches ahead.
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) October 23, 2022West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee conveyed her "heartiest congratulations to Team India on their phenomenal victory against Pakistan". In a tweet, the Trinamool Congress supremo wrote: "Heartiest congratulations to Team India on their phenomenal victory against Pakistan. The performance of our cricketers was truly a delight to watch."
Heartiest congratulations to Team India on their phenomenal victory against Pakistan.
The performance of our cricketers was truly a delight to watch.
May the team continue its victory streak in the days to come.
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) October 23, 2022Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor said that he even refused to take a scheduled flight from Goa this morning and instead opted for a 9.55pm flight because he didn't want to miss the India-Pakistan match on television. He later tweeted that he was "thrilled to see one of the great matches of this tournament".
After addressing a conference of Catholic universities in Goa this morning I declined the scheduled flight which would have meant missing the #indvspakmatch entirely. Even though the next flight is only at 9.55pm I was thrilled to see one of the great matches of this tournament pic.twitter.com/PBlIcVOxJt
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) October 23, 2022Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal, while congratulating Kohli and Team India for the thrilling win in their opening match of the T20 World Cup campaign, exuded confidence that India will go all the way to win the tournament. "Virat's excellent game led India to a spectacular victory against Pakistan. Congratulations to Team India and all the countrymen for India's winning start in the World T20. Keeping this winning streak, we will win the World Cup as well," he tweeted.
क्या ग़ज़ब का मैच था।
