Virat Kohli has struck an imperious half-century and Ravi Ashwin was cool at the death, as India secured a four-wicket win on the final ball against archrivals Pakistan at the T20 World Cup in front of a huge Melbourne Cricket Ground crowd.
Pakistan's spin-bowling allrounder Mohammad Nawaz had a final over to forget, gifting India two wides and a no-ball, before Ashwin coolly blasted the winning run over mid-off, as India chased down 160 for victory.
Man-of-the-match Kohli was magnificent, driving India to the brink of victory with 82 not out, after digging the team out of trouble in a brilliant partnership with Hardik Pandya (40).
Pakistan were cruising to what seemed a morale-boosting victory, but Kohli went ballistic with the bat in the final overs to bring India home in front of 90,293 screaming fans and hundreds of millions more watching around the world.
"Well, it's a surreal atmosphere," Kohli said. "I honestly have no words - I have no idea how that happened.
"Hardik kept telling me, just believe we can stay 'til the end. I'm lost for words."
Kohli thrashed back-to-back sixes in the penultimate over against Haris Rauf to push India within 15 runs of victory from the final six balls.
With Kohli off strike, Nawaz had Pandya caught in close with a miscued slog to break a 113-run partnership.
Kohli took back the strike and hit a six off a no-ball, as the wheels fell off for Nawaz, who then bowled a wide.
Kohli was bowled off the free hit on the next ball, but the ball rattled for three byes off the stumps.
With two balls left and two runs required, Nawaz had Dinesh Karthik stumped, but bowled a wide on what should have been the last ball of the over.
Ashwin cleared the infield with a calm finish to complete the win, sending Indian fans into a frenzy.
It was a cruel finish for Pakistan, who had rallied well to post a defendable total of 159/8, after losing the toss and starting poorly with the bat.
"All credit to Hardik Pandya and Virat Kohli," said Pakistan captain Babar Azam. "They shifted the momentum and finished the game well.
"We had a chance and we just asked the boys to believe in themselves, but again credit to Virat Kohli."
Reuters
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