Team India Qualifies for Champions Trophy 2025 Final
Team India has qualified for the final of the Champions Trophy 2025 after a nail-biting four-wicket win against Australia in the semis. In pursuit of 265 runs, India managed to achieve the mark in 48.1 overs.
Virat Kohli, the player of key importance to the victory, hit 84 off 98 deliveries with five fours. Although he looked set for a hundred, Adam Zampa was his undoing, much to the dismay of the fans. Nevertheless, Kohli underscored the fact that personal records come secondary to winning as a team.
Kohli Prioritizes Team over Personal Milestones
Kohli mentioned when asked about the century that didn't quite make it past his bat, he never really cares for such statistics.
"I never think of milestones. They come when you do not pursue them. Getting a century would have been wonderful, but the team's win is what counts," Kohli said.
Tongue-in-cheek, responding to whether he is getting better in ODIs with age, he added:
"I don't know… you have to tell me that."
Virat Kohli's Record-Breaking Innings
With this innings, Kohli added following records to his name:
- Most 50+ Scores in ICC ODI Tournaments: Kohli created a new record with 24 such scores, one more than Sachin Tendulkar (23). Sachin achieved this in 58 innings, while Kohli did so in 53 innings.
- First Player to Score 1,000 Runs in ICC Knockout Matches: Kohli achieved 1,023 runs in ICC knockout matches in tournaments such as the World Cup, T20 World Cup, Test Championship, and Champions Trophy.
- Most Indian Runs in Champions Trophy History: Kohli now sits atop with 746 runs, overtaking Shikhar Dhawan (701 runs). He is second on the all-time list now, with Chris Gayle (791 runs) holding the first spot.
- 8,000 Runs in ODIs: Kohli joined only Sachin Tendulkar after him to do this.
Despite missing a century, Kohli’s contribution was instrumental in securing India’s place in the Champions Trophy 2025 final. The team now looks ahead to the grand showdown, aiming for another ICC title.
