'To know him a little bit personally myself is awesome': Glenn Phillips' heartwarming message to former RCB teammate Virat Kohli on his 300th ODI

'To know him a little bit personally myself is awesome': Glenn Phillips' heartwarming message to former RCB teammate Virat Kohli on his 300th ODI
Glenn Phillips during a practice session; Virat Kohli during a practice session.

Highlights:

Glenn Phillips hailed Virat Kohli ahead of his 300th ODI.

Phillips shared the RCB dressing room with Kohli.

Phillips has been in tremendous form in ODIs of late.

India's top-order batter Virat Kohli will achieve a major milestone in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 clash against New Zealand. This will be Kohli's 300th ODI appearance. Ahead of the last group stage clash of the tournament, New Zealand's in-form all-rounder Glenn Phillips has hailed Kohli with whom he shared the dressing room at Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 franchise Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).

“Obviously, he's an incredible player. And to know him a little bit personally myself is awesome," said Phillips in the pre-match press conference. 

 

 

"He's an incredibly hard worker, and what he's done for the sport, but also for Indian cricket and also people coming through the game as youngsters now is absolutely fantastic."

 

 

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Phillips hailed Kohli for playing 300 ODIs in modern-era where ODI cricket has taken a backseat with the advent of T20 format.

“I think his legacy going forward will be remembered for a long time, inspiring a lot of people. And 300 ODIs, that's a big feat, especially in today's age, where one-day cricket isn't played as often as it used to be. So, it's really cool for him,” he added.

 

 

Phillips on Williamson's form

Phillips also gave Kohli's example when asked about Kane Williamson's form being a concern. There were concerns about Kohli's form as well but he smashed an unbeaten century against Pakistan.

“Then there's your point. Obviously he (Williamson) scored 130-odd - not out there (against South Africa in the recent tri-series), and he scored 60, and then he scored 40-odd, so I don't think he has a problem,” said the middle-order batter. 

 

 

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'No excuse mindset' for Phillips

This will be the first time since 2000 edition's final, India and New Zealand will go up against each other in Champions Trophy. Phillips played down the advantage of playing at one venue for India criticised by various current and former cricketers.

“For us there's no focus on anything like that. Obviously, the tournament draw is what it is. We have a no-excuse mindset to be able to come out to a tournament,” he said.

 

 

“You’ve dealt the hand that you've dealt, and India has been dealt a hand. We’re never going to complain about what we get and we'll just do the best of what we've got."

 

 

He has scored 236 runs from last five ODI outings. He has been dismissed only once in last five ODI innings.