Cricketing legend Sunil Gavaskar lavished praise on Virat Kohli after the batting maestro smashed his 82nd international century in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 clash against Pakistan at Dubai International Stadium in Dubai.
Gavaskar shut down all the critics alleging that Kohli was playing for his milestone against Pakistan. The cricketing great believes that Kohli was thinking about the team and he deserved that hundred against Pakistan.
"You see Virat Kohli, he was only thinking about team India's win. He was not thinking about his Hundred milestone but when Axar Patel comes, he gives a strike to Virat for the Hundred and Hundred opportunity doesn't come everyday - Virat deserves the Hundred vs Pakistan. He worked so hard in that innings" Gavaskar told Sports Tak.
While featuring against Pakistan, Kohli became the fastest batter to score 14,000 ODI runs. He becomes the third-ever cricketer to reach this milestone after cricketing greats Sachin Tendulkar and Kumar Sangakkara.
Kohli's century against Pakistan helped India to register a six-wicket win against the arch-rivals. Before featuring against Pakistan, India defeated Bangladesh by six wickets where vice-captain Shubman Gill smashed a century. After winning both group stage matches the Men in Blue have confirmed their berth for the semifinals. Before semis, Team India will play their last group stage match against New Zealand which is scheduled to take place on March 2 at the same venue. The Champions Trophy 2025 semifinal featuring India will take place on March 4 in Dubai.