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Indian batting maestro Virat Kohli played a match-winning knock of 84 runs in the first semi-final of the ongoing edition of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which was being played at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, on March 4 (Tuesday). His crucial knock helped the Rohit Sharma-led Team India successfully chase down the 265-run target set by Steve Smith's Australia. With this win, the Men in Blue have sealed their spot in the final of the Champions Trophy for the third consecutive time.
Virat Kohli on his knock
Virat Kohli, who won the player of the match, said his approach was similar to the game against Pakistan where he smashed a century. He said it was just about understanding the conditions and rotating the strike. Kohli revealed how he does not let the required run rate get to him during the chase.
"It was pretty similar to the other day against Pakistan. It is about understanding the conditions and rotating the strike because partnerships on its pitch are important. it all depends on the conditions and then I play my innings. My timing, my composure at the crease, I wasn't rushed. The singles that I took was the most pleasing part for me," said Virat Kohli at the post-match presentation.
"This game is all about pressure. If you go deep into the game, the opposition usually give in. It is important to control your impulses. Even if the RR is six an over, I am not bothered. [Best he has ever played?] I don't know. That is up to you guys to break down. I have never focused on those things. When you don't think of those milestones, they happen. If I get to the three-figure mark, great, but the win is important. For me, those things don't matter anymore," he added.
Virat Kohli completes 8000 ODI runs while chasing
Virat Kohli reached his half-century during India's Champions Trophy semi-final match against Australia on March 4, making him just the second player in history to reach 8000 runs in ODI run-chases. In just 170 games, Kohli reached this milestone, becoming one of only two hitters to reach the 8000-run mark in ODI chases, along with Sachin Tendulkar.
At a strike rate of 93.30 and an average of an outstanding 64.71, Kohli has achieved the 8000-run milestone, whereas Tendulkar amassed 8720 runs in 242 matches at a strike rate of 88.4 by the time he retired. With a series of game-winning efforts, Kohli has silenced his detractors as he enters the Champions Trophy under intense scrutiny for his lackluster Test cricket campaign.
His calm knock against Australia, where he reached his fifty in 53 balls, further solidified his position as India's most dependable batsman in run chases. His century against Pakistan earlier in the tournament set the tone. With 51 tons against Tendulkar's 49, Kohli has also eclipsed Tendulkar in terms of ODI hundreds. More importantly, Kohli has established himself as the supreme chase maestro by recording 24 hundreds in successful run-chases for India—far more than Tendulkar's 14.
