In the Champions Trophy semi-final against Australia, Virat Kohli displayed remarkable grit, scoring 84 runs off 98 balls as India chased 265 runs on a challenging pitch. His innings included five fours and no sixes, reflecting a cautious approach focused on partnership-building with teammates. India successfully reached the target in 48.1 overs. Kohli emphasized the importance of rotating the strike and forming partnerships, drawing parallels to his innings against Pakistan. He expressed satisfaction with his timing and composure, prioritizing team success over personal milestones, stating he remains focused on helping his team win rather than individual achievements.
Champions Trophy 2025: Virat Kohli showcased his skills against Australia© AFP
Virat Kohli exemplified determination in the India vs Australia Champions Trophy semi-final in Dubai on Tuesday. With India needing to chase down 265 runs on a challenging pitch, Kohli adjusted his typically aggressive approach, scoring 84 runs off 98 balls. His innings included just five fours and no sixes. Despite a strike rate of 85.71, he played a vital role by forming significant partnerships with Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, and KL Rahul, helping India reach their target successfully in 48.1 overs. Kohli’s innings also featured 56 singles and four twos, underscoring his impressive fitness level.
Following the victory, Kohli remarked that his approach mirrored the one he adopted against Pakistan, where he achieved a century on the last ball of India’s innings.
“It felt quite similar to my innings against Pakistan. For me, it’s about grasping the fundamentals and adjusting my game accordingly.. just focusing on rotating the strike because partnerships are crucial on this pitch. My goal, both that day and today, was to establish meaningful partnerships. When I got out, the plan was to secure 20 more runs and finish in a couple of overs. Normally, that’s my strategy, but at times, execution doesn’t go as planned,” Kohli shared after his match-winning performance.
When asked about what gave him the most satisfaction from his innings, Virat Kohli stated: “My timing. The calmness at the crease.. I wasn’t feeling anxious and enjoyed playing singles into the gaps. When a batsman takes pride in making singles, that’s when you know you’re playing well and are on the verge of a significant partnership. That was particularly gratifying for me in both the game against Pakistan and today.”
When questioned whether he feels he is in his prime for ODIs, Kohli responded: “I can’t say, that’s something for you to analyze. I’ve never concentrated on such matters. I don’t discuss those topics. When milestones aren’t on your mind, they tend to appear along the path to victories. I take pride in fulfilling my team’s needs. Those things have become irrelevant for me. It’s about stepping up and doing my part for the team.”
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