Virat Kohli reveals he was grinning from ear to ear when he learned of T20 World Cup in Australia

The 33-year-old smashed a match-winning 64* off 44 balls against Bangladesh in the Super 12 match at Adelaide Open as Team India won by a rain-hit match by 5 runs.

Continuing his sensational form with the bat, Kohli achieved a massive landmark as he surpassed legendary Sachin Tendulkar to become India’s leading run-scorer in Australia. The right-handed batter has so far scored 3,350 runs at an average of 56.77 with 11 centuries and 18 fifties.

Kohli claims he was “grinning from ear to ear” when Australia was awarded the hosting rights of the ongoing T20 World Cup as his records Down Under speak volumes.

Entering the showpiece with an aim to rediscover his glory days, the Indian batting maestro, who started the campaign with a magnificent 82 against arch-rivals Pakistan, stretched his excellent run with a 44-ball 64 against Bangladesh here on Wednesday (November 2).

“As soon as I knew the World Cup was in Australia, I was grinning from ear to ear. I knew good cricketing shots would be the key. I knew the kind of experience and game awareness of having played in Australia will come in handy for the team,” Kohli said at the post-match presentation ceremony.

Kohli top-scored in the rain-curtailed game which ended in a tense, five-run win for India. “Pretty close game, not as close as we would’ve liked it to be. It was another good day with the bat I guess, was trying to play myself into the innings.

“When I went in there was pressure, was watching the ball well. I’m just in a happy space, I don’t want to compare anything. What’s in the past is in the past.” Kohli hit his first Test ton in 2012 in Adelaide.

Then, on his Test captaincy debut two years later, he hit hundreds in each innings at the same venue and nearly led India to a famous victory. “I absolutely love playing on this ground. Right from the nets at the back, as soon as I enter, it makes me feel at home. That knock at MCG was meant to be, but when I come here, it’s like I’m meant to come to Adelaide and enjoy my batting,” he said.

Kohli hit eights fours and a six during his stay in the middle, which also saw him form a 67-run partnership for the second wicket with KL Rahul (50 off 32 balls) after the departure of skipper Rohit Sharma.

Needing 151 in 16 overs as per the revised target after a brief spell of rain, Bangladesh managed 145 for six in the end. India, who have six points from four games, will look to beat Zimbabwe in their last Super-12 match.

(With PTI inputs)