Virat Kohli once again demonstrated why he is India's 'chase master' by leading the team's successful chase of 265 against Australia in the Champions Trophy 2025 semifinal. Although he was 16 runs short of a 52nd ODI century, Kohli made it amply clear that personal milestones "don't matter anymore" in the overall scheme of the game.
As the target loomed near and K.L. Rahul picked up speed from the other side, Kohli tried a rare six off Adam Zampa but lost his wicket in the process. But his 84-run stay was the foundation of India's innings, and it kept them in command for the entire run chase.
"I don't know. That is for you guys to dissect. I have never thought about those things. When you don't think about those milestones, they occur. If I reach the three-figure mark, good, but the victory matters. For me, those things don't count anymore," Kohli replied in the post-match interview.
A century aside, Kohli etched history by emerging as India's record highest run-getter in the Champions Trophy with 701 runs, going past Shikhar Dhawan's figure. His 74th ODI half-century was a class lesson in patience, awareness of the game, and rotation of strike on a tricky Dubai track.
Arriving early in the wake of Shubman Gill's removal, Kohli constructed vital associations of 91 with Shreyas Iyer, 44 with Axar Patel, and 47 with Rahul, steering India to an easy position prior to Rahul and Hardik Pandya completing it off.
Kohli was keen to state that adjusting to conditions was crucial to his performance:
"It was quite similar to the other day against Pakistan. It is a matter of reading the conditions and changing the strike because partnerships on this pitch are crucial. My timing, my calmness at the crease—I wasn't hurried. The singles that I took were the most satisfying part for me."
He also emphasized the need to stay calm in a run-chase:
"The game is all about pressure. If you dig deep into the game, the opposition tends to capitulate. You have to hold back your instincts. Even if the run rate is six an over, I don't care."
With this victory, India became the first side to qualify for the final of the Champions Trophy three years running. They now look forward to the South Africa vs. New Zealand semi-final winner for a March 9 encounter in Dubai.
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