Virat Kohli starred with the bat in India’s four-wicket victory over Australia in the first semi-final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday (March 4).
Chasing 265 to win, Men in Blue lost Shubman Gill (8) cheaply while captain Rohit Sharma (28) failed to convert his start into a significant score. However, Kohli once stepped up in a knockout fixture for India.
He added 91 runs for the third wicket with Shreyas Iyer. Adam Zampa broke the partnership by removing Iyer for 45, but Kohli held the one end firmly.
The star batter then stitched 44 runs for the fourth wicket with Axar Patel (27) and followed it with another crucial 47-run stand with KL Rahul to put India on the verge of victory.
While Kohli got out in the 43rd over after scoring 84 off 98 balls, Hardik Pandya’s blazing cameo (28 off 24 balls) and Rahul’s unbeaten 42* off 34 balls ensured India got over the line with 11 deliveries to spare.
After the win, Virat Kohli reflected on his knock as he highlighted the importance of rotating strike. His innings included only five boundaries as he scored 64 runs in singles and doubles.
“It was pretty similar to the other day against Pakistan as well. For me it is about understanding the basics and preparing my game accordingly.. just rotating strike because on this pitch partnerships are the most important thing. My only effort that day and today was to string in enough partnerships,” Kohli said in the post-match interview.
“The time that I got out the plan was to get 20 more and try and finish it off in a couple of overs. Usually that's the template I follow but sometimes you can't execute what you want to,” he added.
The 35-year-old was particularly pleased with his timing and composure at the crease. “My timing. The composure at the crease.. I wasn't feeling desperate and feeling happy knocking ones around and when as a batsman you start taking pride in taking singles into the gaps, that is when you know you are playing good cricket and you know you are in for a big partnership. In the game against Pakistan and today that was the most pleasing factor for me,” he stated.
When asked if he calculates overs ahead while batting in a run chase, Kohli replied: “This game is all about pressure, especially in big games like semis and finals. If you go deep into the innings and have wickets in hand, the opposition usually gives in and the game becomes easier. It is very important to control your impulses while the game is going on.”
“For me it's important to know the number of overs and runs left. Even if the gap is 25-30 and it comes to 6 an over I am not bothered if we have 6-7 wickets in hand,” he explained.
Widely regarded as one of the greatest batters in white-ball cricket, Virat Kohli refrained from answering whether he is now playing his best in ODIs.
“I don't know that's up to you guys to break down. I have never focused on those things. I never spoken about those things. When you don't think about milestones it happens along the way to victories. I take pride in doing what my team wants. Those things don't matter anymore for me. It's just about stepping out and hopefully doing the job for the team,” he remarked.
India will now face the winner of second semi-final between South Africa and New Zealand in the title clash at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday (March 9).
