Virat Kohli proved there is not better chase master than him in the current era after his match-winning knock against Australia in the Champions Trophy 2025 semifinal at the Dubai International stadium on March 5. When the chips were down it was Virat Kohli who rose to the occasion and not only helped India gun down Australia but also seal a Champions Trophy final spot. Kohli's batting wizardry earned him the well-deserved Player of the Match award. In a challenging run chase of 264, Kohli turned India's troubleshooter and notched up a well-crafted 84 runs off 98 balls to steer Men in Blue home. In a post-match interview with the BCCI, Kohli talked about his passion for batting, stating that this love fuels his performance and overshadows any other concerns.
He candidly discussed the difficulties of the 263-run chase, admitting the pressure exerted by the disciplined Australian bowlers. Kohli also talked about the importance of maintaining composure during high-pressure moments, focusing on fulfilling the team's objectives without succumbing to panic.
"I just love playing the game, man. I just love batting. As long as the joy of batting and the love for batting is alive, then all the other things kind of take care of themselves. Do not go into a desperate situation and put your head down, thank God. And just keep working towards what the team wants. More often than not, you'll have results like these," Virat Kohli said in a video posted by BCCI.
Virat Kohli reveals his batting approach for big games ahead of Champions Trophy final
With this win India also avenged their ODI World Cup 2023 final loss against Australia which denied them the coveted title. It certainly dispelled some of the lingering disappointment from their loss in the 2023 ODI World Cup final. Meanwhile, Kohli was all satisfied with the outcome. He said the effort he invested in his performance and conveyed the rewarding feeling of contributing to India's progression to the final.
Kohli also disclosed how he prepare himself for the big matches ahead of the Champions Trophy final.
"For me, now at this stage of my career, it's all about, you know, just getting up for these games, getting excited, coming out here, hopefully doing the job for the team and working as hard as I can, running hard between the wickets and playing according to the demands of the situation. So, when all those things come together and come off, you obviously feel really good. And to get the team across the line, it's a great feeling," Kohli further staged.
Just like ODI World Cup 2023, India are still unbeaten in the ongoing Champions Trophy till the final. And Kohli being the big game player, will certainly have his sights set on the coveted Champions Trophy 2025 title. India will take on either South Africa or New Zealand in the Champions Trophy final which is slated to be played on March 9.
Watch the video here:
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