Indian batter Virat Kohli delivered a masterclass, scoring an unbeaten century to lead India to a six-wicket win over Pakistan in the Champions Trophy, becaming only the third player in history to surpass 14,000 runs in one-day internationals (ODIs).
His 51st ODI century, crafted under immense pressure in Dubai, propelled India to the verge of the semi-finals. The 36-year-old arrived at the tournament amid speculation about his cricketing future, making his performance even more remarkable.
"My job was clear – to control in the middle overs, not take risks against spinners and take on the pacers. I was happy with the template, it’s how I play in ODIs," said Kohli, who was named man of the match.
He further emphasised his focus amid external scrutiny: "I have a decent understanding of my game. It’s about keeping the outside noise away, take care of my energy levels and thoughts. It’s easy for me to get pulled into expectations and frenzy around games like these."
Pakistan skipper Mohammad Rizwan lauded Kohli’s dedication, saying: "I wonder how hard he would have worked when the whole world was saying he is out of form, but coming into a match which is awaited by the world, he scores runs easily."
India’s captain Rohit Sharma echoed the sentiment: "Virat loves representing the country, doing what he does the best, which is what he did today."
Kohli, who entered the match with 13,985 runs in 298 ODIs, reached the 14,000-run milestone with a signature cover drive off Haris Rauf. He joins cricketing greats Sachin Tendulkar (18,426) and Kumar Sangakkara (14,234) in achieving this feat.
His partnership with Shreyas Iyer yielded 114 runs, and he sealed victory with a boundary, raising his bat to a standing ovation.
Shreyas Iyer praised Kohli’s work ethic: "It’s just that the mindset he possesses over the years, he is always hungry for runs."
Kohli, who retired from T20 internationals last year alongside Rohit, has faced inconsistency in Test and ODI cricket, leading to speculation about his future. However, with his 300th ODI approaching next Sunday against New Zealand, Kohli remains firmly in the spotlight.
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