World T20: Australian media lauds Virat Kohli masterclass

MELBOURNE: He might have dashed the hopes of their team but Australian media lavished praise on Virat Kohli for his mind-blowing unbeaten knock that single-handedly powered India into the semifinals of the ICC World Twenty20.

Chasing a challenging 161 for win, Kohli made unbeaten 82 off just 51 deliveries to guide India through in the must-win group match and crush the hopes of Steve Smith and his team.

"Steve Smith called it the 'Virat show' and he was right," The Sydney Morning Herald's Chris Barratt wrote in his article, acknowledging the Australian skipper's post-match remarks.

"With one of the greatest ever Twenty20 international innings India's batting maestro all but single-handedly sent Australia home from the 20-overs world championship."

The Daily Telegraph's Ben Horne described Kohli's knock as: "One man wins it.

"I think it's safe to say there is no talent in world cricket at the moment quite like Virat Kohli," Horne said.

Gideon Haigh of 'The Australian' newspaper, said Kohli made the chase look simple with his masterclass batsmanship.

"(Kohli) made an awkward chase look like simplicity itself.

"Not a stroke, by the way, would have looked out of place in a Test match.

"Much as the marketers would like to take the cricket out of T20, Kohli keeps putting it back."