Virat Kohli played a masterful innings of 84 runs to navigate a tense chase and secure India’s place in the Champions Trophy 2025 final. His knock in Dubai was instrumental in overcoming Australia’s total of 265 on a challenging pitch.
‘Pressure is inherent in high-stakes matches like semi-finals and finals. Patience and preserving wickets are crucial. If you bat deep into the innings with wickets in hand, the pressure often gets to the opposition, making the chase more manageable,’ Kohli stated after receiving the Player of the Match award. ‘Maintaining composure throughout the game is essential.’
‘My focus is always on understanding the required run rate and remaining overs. Even if the run gap increases to 25-30 runs, requiring six runs per over, I remain confident with sufficient wickets in reserve. Knowing that set batsmen can change the game, the strategy is to deny the opposition opportunities to take wickets. That’s the core plan.’
Kohli came to the crease early in the innings with India at 30 for 1. He built crucial partnerships: 91 runs with Shreyas Iyer, followed by 44 and 47 runs respectively with Axar Patel and KL Rahul. These collaborations steered India closer to the target, with Rahul and Hardik Pandya completing the chase.
Notably, 56 of Kohli’s 84 runs were singles, and his innings of 98 balls included only five boundaries and no sixes. Reflecting on his approach, similar to his previous successful chase against Pakistan at the same venue, Kohli emphasized adapting to the playing conditions.
‘The conditions were quite similar to the Pakistan game. My innings then also featured only around seven boundaries in a century. For me, it’s about assessing the pitch, adjusting my game plan accordingly, and prioritizing strike rotation because partnerships are paramount on such surfaces. My aim in both matches was to forge substantial partnerships. The pitch dictates the approach, and I adapt my game accordingly.’
True to his strategy, Kohli refrained from seeking boundaries until the 43rd over, when he attempted a shot against Adam Zampa but was caught in the deep.
‘I felt in control and composed at the crease, without any desperation. I was content with accumulating runs through singles. For a batsman, deriving satisfaction from consistently finding singles and gaps signals good form and sets the stage for significant partnerships. This approach helps to alleviate pressure and progress towards the target. This was the most gratifying aspect for me in both the Pakistan and this match.’
India now awaits the result of the semi-final between New Zealand and South Africa in Lahore on Wednesday. They will face the winner in the Champions Trophy final in Dubai on Sunday.
