When Virat Kohli fell to a deep catch in the Champions Trophy semi-final against Australia in Dubai, a wave of shock swept through the stands. Not just because India had lost a key wicket with 40 runs still needed off 45 balls, but because Kohli, the master of chases, had perished just before sealing the game.
Kohli has built his legacy around orchestrating run chases, especially in white-ball cricket. While his dominance in Test cricket has begun to wane, his ability to control an innings in ODIs and T20s remains unmatched. Yet, the road leading up to this tournament had been anything but smooth.
A turbulent few months saw India suffer humiliating Test series defeats against New Zealand and Australia. The pressure was mounting, and whispers of change within the team grew louder. The message from the Indian board was clear—perform or make way.
This made the Champions Trophy a defining moment, not just for Kohli but for the entire team. After the high of last year’s T20 World Cup victory, setbacks in all formats had put senior players under scrutiny. With the World Test Championship final already out of reach, the Champions Trophy became the battleground for redemption. Failure would have triggered an immediate overhaul, possibly even the dismissal of coach Gautam Gambhir.
Under this immense pressure, Kohli delivered one of his most impactful tournament performances. Though the Champions Trophy is a short event, just four games long for India, Kohli’s contributions in two crucial matches reaffirmed his status as one of the greatest to ever play the format.
In the high-stakes clash against Pakistan, India was set a tricky chase of 242. Kohli, though not at his fluent best, played with steely resolve, relying on placement and running between the wickets to craft a measured, unbeaten century. The result? A dominant victory in a marquee contest.
The challenge against Australia in the semi-final was even tougher. Despite the Aussies missing key players, a target of 265 on a slow, abrasive Dubai pitch required patience and precision. Kohli, knowing that flamboyance wouldn’t serve him well, anchored the innings with sheer grit. His 84-run knock contained just five boundaries, mirroring his Pakistan century, where he struck only seven fours.
“I wasn’t feeling desperate. I was happy knocking ones around. When you start taking pride in rotating the strike, that’s when you know you’re playing good cricket,” Kohli reflected.
While he has amassed bigger runs on grander stages—his iconic 2018 Test series in England, his dominance in the 2023 ODI World Cup, and his near-1000-run IPL 2016 season—this tournament holds a different kind of significance. It’s about proving that he still belongs at the top.
Unlike the 2024 T20 World Cup, where he struggled before a match-winning knock in the final, Kohli has been in control throughout the Champions Trophy. The conditions in Dubai have been testing, but he has adapted, grinding out runs when needed, staying true to his craft.
The ghosts of the 2023 World Cup final defeat on home soil still linger. That tournament saw India play some of the most dominant cricket in modern white-ball history, only to falter at the last step. But if Kohli can step up one last time in Sunday’s final and lead India to Champions Trophy glory, it will serve as a fitting jewel in the crown of his extraordinary career.