India vs Pakistan: India beat Pakistan by six wickets at Eden Gardens; Virat Kohli steals show

Scorecard: India vs Pakistan (Click Here)

India vs Pakistan, as it happened!

2319 hrs IST: The stadium erupts as Dhoni scores the winning runs for India. India beat Pakistan by six wickets at the Eden Gardens. Kohli remains unbeaten on 55

2317 hrs IST: Dhoni with the SPECIAL SIX! He thought it was over, still a run to get for India

2315 hrs IST: FOUR more! Kohli in a hurry to finish things off

I’ll say it again. @imVkohli has targets for dinner.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) 19 March 2016

2314 hrs IST: FIFTY for Kohli and he bows down, pointing towards the stand Sachin Tendulkar is seated

This is another refined T20 innings from @imVkohli

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) 19 March 2016

2313 hrs IST: Four more, this time off Afridi, and Kohli moves to 49

2312 hrs IST: You beauty! Kohli moves to 45 with a beautiful cover-drive off Amir. Top shot

2310 hrs IST: Pakistan clearly missed a trick by playing extra seamer but no one knew about the pitch, it was under covers

2305 hrs IST: Flatter delivery from Afridi and Kohli powers it through covers for another boundary, moves to 37 off only 25

2302 hrs IST: WICKET! Yuvraj pulls, but finds the fielder in the deep. India lose their fourth at 84

Not expecting any twist in this story now…If #Pak were to win, Malik and Afridi had to pick wickets. #DimagSay #Bing #IndvPak

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) 19 March 2016

2259 hrs IST: SIX! Short and Yuvraj smashes it over the mid-wicket fence. India now need only 39 from 41 balls

2257 hrs IST: FOUR! Sweep again, this time all along the carpet. Brings up the FIFTY-run partnership with Yuvraj

2254 hrs IST: SIX! Kohli sweeps and it sails over the ropes. First maximum of the Indian innings, 150th of the tournament

2250 hrs IST: Meanwhile, the Bachchans and Sachin Tendulkar are enjoying all the action from the stands

What a photo! @SrBachchan, @sachin_rt and @juniorbachchan enjoy the #INDvPAK action at Eden Gardens! #WT20 pic.twitter.com/pFw673sNSU

— ICC (@ICC) 19 March 2016

2248 hrs IST: Wahab Riaz into the attack and Kohli starts the over with a boundary. He’s looking good today. India need another 60 now, from 52 balls

2245 hrs IST: FIFTY up for India in the ninth over, India need another 69 from 57 balls now

2242 hrs IST: Spin from both ends. Shoaib Malik to bowl his part-time offies. Yuvraj and Kohli doing a fine recovery job for the Men in Blue

Kohli saved India in the Asia cup against Pakistan on a seaming track.Can he deliver again on a spinning track? #INDvsPAK #WT20

— Mohammad Kaif (@KaifSays) 19 March 2016

2239 hrs IST: Afridi is operating with a slip, looking for wickets. Pakistan, to make a contest out of this, need to pick wickets at regular intervals

2234 hrs IST: Yuvraj joins the act now…drives one elegantly through covers and beats diving Amir in the deep

2233 hrs IST: Kohli just helps one to the ropes. Opening the face of the blade, using Shami’s pace and hitting it in the gap

2231 hrs IST: Only five coming off Afridi’s first over. India in some pressure now. Plenty of dot balls

2229 hrs IST: Afridi into the attack now. The skipper clearly wants to exploit the conditions, which are assisting the slower bowlers

2227 hrs IST: Fires one into Yuvraj’s rib-cage who survives the hat-trick ball. India need a steady stand now. In a spot of bother

2226 hrs IST: Yuvraj is out in the middle, and Sami’s on a hat-trick

2225 hrs IST: WICKET! Golden duck for Suresh Raina as he plays the Sami delivery back on to his stumps. Again, undone by the extra pace. Sami’s pumped, so are Pakistan. India 23/3

2224 hrs IST: WICKET! Dhawan plays a Sami delivery back on to his stumps. Looking to run down to third-man, undone by the extra pace there. India 23/2

2222 hrs IST: Room on offer and Dhawan bisects the field in fine fashion. Suresh Raina is pleased with the hit, applauding with intent

2221 hrs IST: Muhammad Sami is the first change bowler. Important he sustains pressure in the middle overs

2219 hrs IST: Amir and Irfan bowling well in tandem. Giving nothing away, keeping things tight in the middle

2217 hrs IST: Dhawan is one off eight deliveries but is ice cool in the middle. Important he stays out there

2215 hrs IST: Amir bowls a tight over, his figures so far 2-3-1

2211 hrs IST: WICKET! Rohit goes big, gets the height but not the distance. Malik takes a brilliant catch to get rid of the India opener, who is out after scoring 10. India 14/1

Even the easiest of catches isn’t easy in a high pressure game like this and in front of 70000 people. #INDvsPAK #WT20

— Mohammad Kaif (@KaifSays) 19 March 2016

2210 hrs IST: Rohit pulls one in fine fashion for the second boundary of the over

2207 hrs IST: Rohit punches one off the back-foot and good effort by Shehzad at backward-point, stopped a certain boundary there

India last 5 T20Is, all while batting 2nd
85/5 v Pak (W)
142/5 v SL (W)
82/1 v UAE (W)
122/2 v Ban (W)
79 v NZ (L)#IndvsPak#DimagSay#Bing

— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) 19 March 2016

2206 hrs IST: Big man Irfan into the attack and Rohit welcomes him with a boundary – the first of Indian innings

Must win for India. Done half the job. Will have to finish the rest. Go India!!!#IndvsPak #WT20

— Anil Kumble (@anilkumble1074) 19 March 2016

2204 hrs IST: Amir keeps it tight in his first, concedes only four

2200 hrs IST: Amir to commence proceedings with the new ball for Pakistan, Dhawan and Rohit the two openers for India

2148 hrs IST: Bumrah bowls a top last over – concedes only seven. Pakistan end with 118/5. All eyes on India batsmen now. It’s game on at the Eden Gardens

2144 hrs IST: Nehra ends his spell with figures of 1/20, Pakistan 111/5 after 17 overs

2141 hrs IST: WICKET! Gold! Nehra scalps Malik who top-edges the pull to Ashwin at short fine-leg. Out after scoring a 16-ball 26

2139 hrs IST: Nehra to bowl an important 17th over. India can’t afford to leak many runs in last two, it’s not an easy pitch to bat on

2137 hrs IST: WICKET! Edge and gone. Akmal goes for the cut off Jadeja’s delivery but only manages a thick edge to Dhoni behind the stumps. Much needed wicket this for India. 101/4

2136 hrs IST: FOUR! Malik slog-sweeps one to the ropes, brings up the 100 for Pakistan. Malik-Akmal stand ensures Pakistan bowlers have a decent total to defend

2135 hrs IST: Jadeja back into the attack. India would like to finish well after doing all the right things at the start of Pakistan innings

Surprised @YUVSTRONG12 hasn’t bowled on this pitch. #INDvPAK #WT20

— Anil Kumble (@anilkumble1074) 19 March 2016

2133 hrs IST: FOUR! Full toss again and Malik picks it off his pads in fine fashion. Consecutive boundaries for the right-hander, moves to 19 off just 11

2132 hrs IST: FOUR! Full toss and Malik creams it through the covers region. Dhawan was out manning the boundary but he had no chance

13 free-hits so far in T20WC 2016
Only one boundary hit – a 6 by Afg Mohd Shahzad off HKg Nadeem Ahmed at Nagpur!#IndvsPak#DimagSay#Bing

— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) 19 March 2016

2130 hrs IST: We are into the last four, the death overs in this reduced contest. Pakistan would want to push over, at least, 120 from here now

2129 hrs IST: SIX! Akmal this time, Pandya the bowler. Sweet sound off the willow and the ball sails over the ropes. Pandya leaks 15 from that over. Pakistan 82/3 after 14 overs

Pakistan needed that big over from Pandya. The length ball from the seamer easiest to play

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) 19 March 2016

2126 hrs IST: SIX! Malik picks the Pandya slower-one early and launches it way back into the stands. First six of Pakistan innings. They need more…

2124 hrs IST: Nehra bowls a tight over. Concedes only two. All Indian bowlers have been spot on today – disciplined and very tight in their approach

2121 hrs IST: Pakistan need a move on and they would like Shoaib Malik to help them finish well here

Wow again!! The ball at Eden Gardens is turning even more than it was in Nagpur. This amazing contest is even more interesting. #INDvPAK

— Shane Watson (@ShaneRWatson33) 19 March 2016

2118 hrs IST: Not only Indian spinners, seamers too have played their part well. Mixing it well and rushing the odd one through

2115 hrs IST: WICKET! Afridi’s struggle ends. Miscues Pandya delivery to Kohli in the deep, out after scoring a 14-ball 8. Pakistan 60/3

Hardik Pandya…..
in T20Is: 11 wickets in 13 games for India
in IPL: 1 wicket in 9 games for Mumbai Indians#IndvsPak#DimagSay#Bing

— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) 19 March 2016

2112 hrs IST: Have Pakistan missed a trick here? Fielding four quicks on a strip turning square

2109 hrs IST: Umar Akmal is the new man in and he’s away with a boundary. Short delivery and he threw his bat at that. Edge, and four. Meanwhile, FIFTY up for Pakistan in the 10th over of the innings

Maybe 80 will be enough …. #🎣

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) 19 March 2016

2108 hrs IST: WICKET! Shehzad miscues and Kohli takes an easy catch. Pakistan lose both their openers cheaply, top start this by India in the high-voltage fixture. 46/2

2106 hrs IST: Shehzad gets down on one knee and uses Bumrah’s pace to guide to the ropes

2104 hrs IST: The ball’s turning square, Afridi has no clue whatsoever. Jadeja concedes only three, Pakistan 42/1 after nine

2100 hrs IST: Pandya is off the field after taking that catch. More importantly, it’s Shahid Afridi who comes out to bat at no.3

The ball is turning like a top and a batsman gets out to a long hop! Great catch from Pandya though

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) 19 March 2016

2059 hrs IST: WICKET! Sharjeel miscues the Raina delivery and Pandya takes a STUNNING catch to get rid of the opener. He has done some damage here. Looks in pain. Pakistan 38/1

Nagpur revisited. Or 1996 World Cup semifinal at the same venue? #Ind v #Pak #WT20 #Bing #DimagSay

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) 19 March 2016

2058 hrs IST: Sures Raina with the ball now. He bowled well against New Zealand, allowed Dhoni to shuffle between Pandya, Nehra and Bumrah

2055 hrs IST: A couple of close shouts in Jadeja’s over. It’s turning, this game would only get interesting

I reckon 126 will be plenty @TheRealPCB .!!!!! #INDvPAK

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) 19 March 2016

2053 hrs IST: More spin now! Ravindra Jadeja into the attack. Pakistan have managed to keep wickets in hand, but are still slow in their approach

2052 hrs IST: Ashwin continuing after the powerplay. Sharjeel and Shehzad struggling but surviving against spin

2050 hrs IST: Power play and Pakistan are 24/0 after five overs

#IndvsPak feels like watching cricket in super slo-mo, especially after #ENGvsSA last night. #WT20

— Daksh Panwar (@Daksh140) 19 March 2016

2048 hrs IST: Ashwin getting turn here. Big turn

2041 hrs IST: India bowlers keeping things tight in Kolkata. Pakistan 12/0 after 3 overs

2035 hrs IST: Ashwin to bowl the second over

2030 hrs IST: All set! Sharjeel and Shehzad to open. Nehra to bowl for India

Finally it’s happening #IndvsPak

— Vijender Singh (@boxervijender) 19 March 2016

2025 hrs IST: And the customary Ashish Nehra tweet from Virender Sehwag

What a view #go nehra ji go pic.twitter.com/L1Lc41LU9a

— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) 19 March 2016

2020 hrs IST: Teams’ playing XI

IND XI: RG Sharma, S Dhawan, V Kohli, S Raina, Y Singh, MS Dhoni, H Pandya, R Jadeja, R Ashwin, A Nehra, J Bumrah

— BCCI (@BCCI) 19 March 2016

IND XI: RG Sharma, S Dhawan, V Kohli, S Raina, Y Singh, MS Dhoni, H Pandya, R Jadeja, R Ashwin, A Nehra, J Bumrah

— BCCI (@BCCI) 19 March 2016

2014 hrs IST: India are going unchanged while Pakistan replace Imad Wasim with Mohammad Sami

2011 hrs IST: India win toss and elect to bowl first against Pakistan

2008 hrs IST: MS Dhoni and Shahid Afridi walking out for the toss

@msdhoni and @SAfridiOfficial walk out for the toss. #IndvsPak #WT20

— Shamik Chakrabarty (@shamik100) 19 March 2016

2003 hrs IST: These are the new playing conditions after the rain delay

#WT20 Men: #Ind v #Pak – The match has been reduced to 18 overs per side, 5-over PP. 2010 hrs IST toss, 2030 IST start time

— BCCI (@BCCI) 19 March 2016

2000 hrs IST: Toss 10 minutes away and we are likely to have a 18 overs per side game

1945 hrs IST: This photo!

Huge reception for these #IND legends
With biggest cheer saved for @sachin_rt! #WT20 #INDvPAK pic.twitter.com/QTRFJAtsVo

— ICC (@ICC) 19 March 2016

1935 hrs IST: India began their football warm-up. Pakistan getting pep talks from Wasim, Imran. What are thinking

@shamik100 @IExpressSports toss must happen at or before 8…in order to start at 8:15

— sohan eltepu (@sohanneltepu) 19 March 2016

1917 hrs IST: No news regarding inspection? ICC?

The scene right now in Eden Gardens, toss is delayed with no news regarding inspection yet #INDvPAK #WT20 https://t.co/Txg3uGYyFa

— ICC (@ICC) 19 March 2016

1910 hrs IST: The covers are off, groundsmen working hard

The very latest scene at Eden Gardens with good progress #INDvPAK #WT20 pic.twitter.com/CupH8sG81m

— ICC (@ICC) 19 March 2016

1905 hrs IST: Toss delayed in Kolkata and next update at 1920 hrs IST

1855 hrs IST: Covers coming off at Eden Gardens

Great news with the covers coming off for #INDvPAK but looking like we’ll have a delayed toss at least#WT20 pic.twitter.com/OG9Rh3VR5S

— ICC (@ICC) 19 March 2016

1848 hrs IST: This is what our reporter at Eden Gardens says

10.20pm is the cut off time for 6-overs-a-side game. #IndvsPak #WT20

— Shamik Chakrabarty (@shamik100) 19 March 2016

1830 hrs IST: The latest at the Eden Gardens

Eden Gardens is under covers at the moment. It is raining – #Ind v #Pak #WT20 pic.twitter.com/pLWFijri9D

— BCCI (@BCCI) 19 March 2016

1756 hrs IST: It’s raining again in Kolkata

Dear me, it’s raining again. What a shame! #IndvsPak#WT20

— Shamik Chakrabarty (@shamik100) 19 March 2016

1753 hrs IST: Amitabh Bachchan and Sourav Ganguly. WOW!

Super-sopper rolling. Amitabh Bachchan and Sourav Ganguly having a tête a tête. #INDvPAK #WT20 pic.twitter.com/sVa3yYPZo4

— Shamik Chakrabarty (@shamik100) 19 March 2016

Legendary Amitabh Bachan is in the house.. Can u guys make out where he is… pic.twitter.com/usOyNIDzLR

— Ramiz Raja (@iramizraja) 19 March 2016

1740 hrs IST: Rain’s intensity has gone down and now a test for groundsmen

Rain loses intensity. Mirpur made the ground playable in 1 hour in the Asia Cup final. This is a big test for #EdenGardens. #IndvsPak#WT20

— Shamik Chakrabarty (@shamik100) 19 March 2016

Gud sign as Sun is out but it’s still drizzling #fingerscrossedpic.twitter.com/WZNxqDpGFo

— Manoj Tiwary (@tiwarymanoj) 19 March 2016

Rain is slowly dying but difficult to predict the start… As I am writing this rain has almost cleared.. pic.twitter.com/uCFdtzKN3F

— Ramiz Raja (@iramizraja) 19 March 2016

1735 hrs IST: Lighting, storm and rain, it’s all happening in Kolkata

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WATCH: HERE’S WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THE CONTEST

From Kohli to Amir, a willow

Mohammad Amir asked for a bat, Virat Kohli obliged. (Source: PTI)

Indian cricketers were winding up their practice session and their Pakistan counterparts had just arrived. It’s not known whether Mohammad Amir is a fan of Virat Kohli but when the two bumped into each other, the Pakistan fast bowler asked for a bat. Kohli happily obliged.

Everybody’s game is anybody’s game

Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi prays at the Eden Gardens on the eve of the Group 2 game against India. (Express photo by Partha Paul)

At Oxford Chai Bar on Thursday afternoon, four elderly men are discussing cricket. They talk about Lala Amarnath, Fazal Mahmood, Imran Khan and, of course, Sunil Gavaskar. Someone mentions the game at the nearby Eden Gardens.

What MS Dhoni said about the high-voltage clash

MS Dhoni’s men taken on arch rivals Pakistan on March 19th at Eden Garden, Kolkata. (Source: AP)

While the teams involved tend to downplay the hype surrounding the rivalry and the importance of the game, Ravichandran Ashwin’s comments on match eve have been a welcome change from the banal.