Kohli Proves Naysayers Wrong With Masterclass Against Pak, Sets Records

DUBAI (ANI) – Virat Kohli’s emphatic performance in India’s ICC Champions Trophy clash against Pakistan on February 23 was not only a match-winning display but also a statement to his critics. Reflecting on his approach, Kohli stated, “I have a decent understanding of my game. It’s about keeping the outside noise away, staying in my space, and taking care of my energy levels and thoughts.”

This mindset allowed him to shine in a pressure-filled situation, where he scored an unbeaten 100 off 111 balls, featuring seven boundaries at a strike rate of 90.09. His innings anchored India’s chase of 242 runs and underscored his resilience against skepticism regarding his performance. “My job is to stay in the present and do a job for the team,” he added, reinforcing his commitment to his role.

Kohli acknowledged the contributions of his teammates, saying, “Towards the end, Shreyas [Iyer] accelerated, and I got a few boundaries as well. It allowed me to play my usual ODI game.” He emphasized the importance of a strong start: “It was necessary to get about 60-70 runs in the powerplay, or we would always be chasing the game.”

In the 13th over, Kohli reached a significant milestone, becoming only the third batter in history to surpass 14,000 runs in ODIs, joining legends Sachin Tendulkar and Kumar Sangakkara. This achievement further proved his critics wrong, highlighting his enduring skill and determination.

He also equaled Tendulkar’s record for the most fifty-plus scores (23) in ICC ODI events and solidified his dominance against Pakistan, amassing 778 runs in 17 ODIs against them at an impressive average of 59.84.

Kohli now stands as the third-highest run-getter in international cricket, with a total of 27,503 runs across all formats. “To be honest, at 36, it feels really good. Will put my feet up for a few days as it takes a lot out of me to put that kind of effort into every game,” he said, hinting at a well-deserved break after a remarkable performance.

This was Kohli’s sixth century in ICC ODI events and his first in the ICC Champions Trophy, solidifying his legacy as one of cricket’s greatest players.