Former Australia men’s captain Greg Chappell has lavished praise on Virat Kohli’s sensational T20 World Cup innings against Pakistan, declaring it “the innings that legitimised T20 cricket”.

Writing for the Sydney Morning Herald, Chappell dissected Kohli’s innings in the landmark match at the MCG and its importance for global cricket as a whole. Coming in with India 7-1, Kohli smashed 82 off 53 deliveries to see his side home from the final ball of their T20 World Cup opener. He scored 36 runs off the final three overs, including an audacious back-foot straight six back over bowler Haris Rauf’s head.

Kohli’s incredible knock has already received praise from all quarters, but Chappell goes further than all of them in the extent and depth of his admiration.

“None of the greats of bygone eras could have dismembered of an opponent so brutally without compromising the niceties of the art of batting than Kohli did last Sunday night,” wrote Chappell. “It was an innings that showcased the art of batting like no other that I have seen in a lifetime of watching cricket.”

“I can think of many of the best hitters in the modern game who could have pulled off a similar victory, and probably have, but none has ever done it with pure batting skills in the manner that Kohli did against Pakistan. Only Adam Gilchrist has come close in the past, but this was even more esoteric than some of his most sublime efforts. It was simply impossible to look away.”

“I don’t think the home of Australian football has hosted a more meaningful and emotional event in its lifetime. Shane Warne would be proud to have his name emblazoned on the most imposing stand at the stadium, presiding over the proceedings on the fateful evening.”

After his sudden death earlier this year, the Great Southern Stand at the MCG was renamed the Shane Warne stand in honour of the Australia legend, who played his domestic cricket for Victoria at the ground. More than 90,000 people crowded into the iconic venue to watch one of the biggest rivalries in global cricket, Kohli thrilled and entertained them.

“[Kohli was] like a cat playing with a new skein of wool,” wrote Chappell. “[He] teased then expertly picked apart an excellent Pakistan bowling attack until it lay unravelled, spent and exposed on the green carpet of the MCG.”

“It gave me immense pleasure as it was played by one of the staunchest supporters and exponents of Test cricket of the past 145 years.”

“We have known for some time that Kohli is in a rare class, but this was done against the backdrop of a pretty lean run during the last few years by his lofty standards.”

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