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Virat Kohli's big admission on what makes Champions Trophy more challenging ahead of India vs Bangladesh clash, says 'The pressure is from the...'

Virat Kohli talked about the challenges of the Champions Trophy's format ahead of India's campaign opener against Bangladesh

Sports Tak

• Wed • 19 Feb 2025

India's superstar batter Virat Kohli in frame

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Virat Kohli talked about Champions Trophy's pressure ahead of India vs Bangladesh clash

India will kick off their Champions Trophy's campaign against Bangladesh on February 20

India's batting maestro Virat Kohli opened up on the challenges of the Champions Trophy's format and revealed what makes the competition tough. Virat Kohli will be seen in action in India's Champions Trophy's campaign opener against Bangladesh which will be played at the Dubai International stadium on February 20.

Kohli has consistently expressed his fondness for the Champions Trophy format, citing its demand for peak performance from all eight participating teams right from the start. The current tournament marks the Champions Trophy's return after a hiatus since 2017, when India suffered a final-match defeat against Pakistan.

"The tournament is happening after a long time. I have always liked this tournament. It represents consistency as you have to be in the top 8 of the rankings (to qualify). The level of competition is always good," Kohli told Star Sports.

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Virat Kohli on Champions Trophy's pressure

Virat Kohli, having participated in three previous Champions Trophy tournaments (2009, 2013, and 2017), including India's winning campaign in 2013, has drawn a comparison between the 50-over event and the fast-paced nature of the T20 World Cup.

Kohli stated that Champions Trophy creates the pressure of a T20 World Cup and also admitted the pressure it brings if a team doesn't start well in the tournament.

"In ODI format, it creates the pressure of a T20 World Cup. There also you have three or four games in the league stage. If you don't start well, you are under pressure. The pressure is from the first game itself and that is why I like it, you have to be at your best from game one," Kohli further stated.

Under the tournament's hybrid model, India will play all their Champions Trophy matches in Dubai, despite Pakistan being the official host. Their remaining league games include a highly anticipated clash against Pakistan on February 23and a match against New Zealand on March 2.

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Following a challenging Test series in Australia, Virat Kohli will be looking to score heavily in the Champions Trophy. He showed signs of returning to form in the preceding ODI series against England, where he scored a half-century in the final game in Ahmedabad.

"When last time we played our first match against Bangladesh in an ICC tournament in 2011 WC and that tournament was very good for us and now we are going to play the first match vs Bangladesh in this Champions Trophy," former India captain concluded.

India's squad for Champions Trophy:

Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shubman Gill (Vice-captain), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (WK), Rishabh Pant (WK), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Mohd. Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Ravindra Jadeja, Varun Chakaravarthy.