Virat Kohli delivered yet another masterclass under pressure, smashing a match-winning century against Pakistan in the Champions Trophy 2025 at the Dubai International Stadium. His magnificent knock not only guided India to a comfortable six-wicket victory but also virtually secured their place in the tournament’s semi-finals.
With this innings, Kohli etched his name in the record books once again. He became the fastest batter to reach 14,000 ODI runs, achieving the milestone in just 287 innings—surpassing the previous record set by Sachin Tendulkar (350 innings). Kohli also joined an elite group of batters with 14,000 ODI runs, a club that includes Tendulkar and Kumar Sangakkara.
Kohli’s recent form had been under scrutiny following a quiet home Test season against Bangladesh and New Zealand, coupled with an underwhelming performance in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. Scoring just 190 runs across nine innings, including a lone century in Perth, had raised questions about whether he could rediscover his best form. However, his century against Pakistan emphatically silenced critics.
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Navjot Singh Sidhu, a former cricketer and well-known commentator, showered praise on Kohli’s determination, believing this knock could mark the beginning of another dominant phase in his career.
“Character is not made in a crisis, it is exhibited. Virat Kohli has pedigree and passion, and after this hundred, I can say with conviction that he will play for another two to three years and score another 10 to 15 centuries. Mark my words,”Navjot Singh Sidhu said on Star Sports.
He emphasized how Kohli thrives under adversity, highlighting the immense pressure surrounding him over the past six months.
“When you score runs against Pakistan in a high-stakes game like this, people don’t forget it for a decade. This innings will be remembered,” Navjot Singh Sidhu added.
Former India batting coach Sanjay Bangar also lauded Kohli’s hunger and work ethic, emphasizing his intense preparation.
“Kohli leaves no stone unturned in his preparation. He knew he had to step up, and his body language showed it. His eyes were lit up, and you could see that fire burning. He was hungry for runs, and this innings proved why he remains one of the greatest of all time,” Sanjay Bangar stated.
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Bangar echoed Sidhu’s sentiment, suggesting that Kohli still has several years left at the highest level.
“This is an innings that tells you Kohli has another three to four years of international cricket left. If he maintains his high standards, we will continue to witness masterclasses like this,” he added.
Breaking down Kohli’s technical adjustments, Bangar pointed out a key change in his approach. Instead of aggressively going after the ball early on, Kohli allowed deliveries to come to him, playing with more patience and precision.
“He waited for the ball instead of lunging forward too soon. Early on, he played a lot off the back foot, showing aggression but also control. As he gained confidence, he started stepping forward to tackle both left-arm and off-spin while staying cautious against leg-spin. Once he assessed the situation, he dominated from both ends,” Sanjay Bangar explained.
Kohli’s century not only reaffirmed his legendary status but also reassured Indian fans that their star batter is well and truly back in form. With India eyeing the Champions Trophy title, Kohli’s resurgence could not have come at a better time.
