Few cricket moments stay etched in memory like Virat Kohli's back-foot six off Haris Rauf in the 2022 T20 World Cup. It was a shot that defied logic and swung the contest in Melbourne dramatically in India's favour.
Nearly three years later, as India and Pakistan locked horns in another Asia Cup Super Four clash, that stroke continues to be revisited - this time on Pakistan's own television coverage.
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Former cricketers Tanvir Ahmed and Asif Khan have weighed in on its lasting impact - linking it to shifts in confidence and team dynamics.
Asif Khan says Pakistan never recovered mentally after Virat Kohli's six
Speaking on PTV Sports, Asif Khan claimed that Kohli's iconic strike left a long shadow over Pakistan. He argued that the team's mindset dipped after that game - echoing a point made earlier by Indian commentator Harsha Bhogle.
"The six Virat Kohli hit off Haris Rauf pushed Pakistan mentally backwards. Harsha Bhogle also said this, and I respect him a lot. He is a great commentator and a true voice of cricket," Asif said.
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Tanvir Ahmed links the shot to instability in Pakistan cricket
Former pacer Tanvir Ahmed took the discussion further. He suggested that the fallout from that defeat triggered internal changes in Pakistan cricket.
He argued that altering a settled team structure after the World Cup exit weakened the side rather than improving it.
"When we went out of the tournament, the changes made to the team afterwards pushed us onto the back foot. Instead of improving, the decisions only weakened the side. Under Babar's captaincy, you played semi-finals and finals - the team was settled then, but it was disturbed unnecessarily. Look at the state of the team after that. Those pushing for such changes only wanted the side to collapse." Tanvir said.
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Virat Kohli's six still echoing in Asia Cup 2025 atmosphere
The debate resurfaced as Indian fans reminded Haris Rauf of that very shot during the ongoing Asia Cup clash. Chants of Kohli's name followed the pacer to the boundary - underlining how that single stroke has become symbolic of India's dominance in crunch moments.
While Rauf responded with gestures to shrug off the noise, the exchange highlighted just how deeply the memory still resonates in contests between the arch-rivals.
As the Asia Cup nears its end, it's clear Kohli's stroke in Melbourne has transcended being just a cricketing highlight. It has become part of the psychological storyline every time India and Pakistan meet.
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