Virat Kohli showcased his remarkable talent in one-day cricket with a stunning century against Pakistan during the ICC Champions Trophy, marking his resurgence after a dip in form. He surpassed Ricky Ponting to become the third-highest run-scorer in international cricket, reaching 14,000 ODI runs. Kohli’s performance garnered praise from both Indian fans and the Pakistani media, highlighting his dominance in the match. Despite struggles earlier in 2024, Kohli’s average significantly improves after settling in, reinforcing his reputation as a formidable batsman. His history against Pakistan includes multiple ‘Player of the Match’ awards in ICC tournaments, further solidifying his stature.
Renowned for his chase mastery in one-day cricket, Virat Kohli once again showcased his exceptional talent in the realm of white-ball cricket, demonstrating his insatiable appetite for runs. He broke free from a rough patch to score a standout century against arch-rivals Pakistan during the ICC Champions Trophy. The Dubai International Stadium was treated to a remarkable exhibition of run-chasing, as Kohli not only set multiple records but also overtook Ricky Ponting to become the third-highest run-scorer in international cricket, marking his achievement of 14,000 ODI runs.
His stellar performance virtually knocked Pakistan out of the ICC Champions Trophy, capturing the attention and respect of fans even across the border. By Monday morning, Kohli’s magnificent display had made headlines in the Pakistani media.
Here’s how the Pakistani media responded to Virat Kohli’s decisive blow against the Champions Trophy hosts:
Geo News: ‘Kohli shines as Pakistan falls in crucial Champions Trophy encounter against India.’
Dawn: ‘Champions Trophy: Virat Kohli delivers, propelling India to a straightforward win over Pakistan.’
The Express Tribute: “Champions Trophy: India dominates Pakistan, putting the defending champions at risk of elimination.”
ARY News: India surpasses Pakistan in a lopsided Champions Trophy match.
Those who witnessed the match live or on television would surely have breathed a sigh of relief as the ‘King’ finally found his footing at the crease, displaying his authority with trademark shots. This moment came after a prolonged struggle for Virat to settle in regardless of the format he played.
Throughout a predominantly disappointing 2024 season, Virat aimed to attack bowlers aggressively but grew frustrated when unable to make solid contact. Frequently, he would lose his wicket due to either rash and uncharacteristic shots (notably during the T20 World Cup) or fell victim to technical flaws: 1). Carelessly poking at deliveries outside off stump 2). Struggling against spin bowling.
An intriguing statistic has emerged indicating that Virat either thrives or faces a drought; there appears to be no middle ground.
According to CricViz, a cricket data and analytics provider, Virat has encountered difficulties in the first 30 balls of his ODI innings since the start of 2022, averaging 38.1 in this phase with a strike rate of 82. Once he navigates this phase, however, his average and strike rate experience a significant boost, reflecting his legendary status. In the subsequent 60 balls after his initial 30, he impressively averages 87.4 and strikes at 102!
This highlights a clear trend: Virat may fall cheaply, but when settled, he’s poised for a substantial score.
Since 2022, according to ESPNCricinfo, Virat ranks as the sixth-highest run-scorer in ODIs, amassing 1,916 runs across 45 matches and 42 innings, with an average of 53.22 and a strike rate of 94.99. He has achieved eight centuries and 11 fifties, with a top score of 166*.
Furthermore, Cricbuzz reports that Virat has earned five ‘Player of the Match’ awards against Pakistan in ICC tournaments: 78* (T20 World Cup 2012), 107 (2015 ICC Cricket World Cup), 55* (T20 World Cup 2016), 82* (T20 World Cup 2022), and 100* (Champions Trophy 2025). No other player has claimed more than three Player of the Match awards against a single opponent in ICC tournaments.
With ANI Inputs
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