In an exhibition of greatness, Virat Kohli ended all the detractors in his tracks by striking a dazzling one-day international (ODI) century to help India register a six-wicket victory over traditional rivals Pakistan at the ICC Champions Trophy in Dubai. The seasoned batsman not only completed his 51st ODI ton but also emerged as the fastest player and the third overall in history to aggregate 14,000 runs in ODIs.
The 36-year-old’s performance came against the background of uncertainty surrounding his cricketing future, and his unbeaten 100 in this high-stakes game was all the more significant. Kohli emphasized that he needed to keep his eyes on his game, stating, “My job was clear – to control the middle overs, not take risks against spinners and take on the pacers.”
Pakistan’s skipper, Mohammad Rizwan, expressed admiration for Kohli’s resilience, remarking on the hard work it must have taken to perform under pressure. “I praise his hard work and fitness,” Rizwan noted, highlighting the respect Kohli commands, especially in crucial matches.
India’s captain, Rohit Sharma, echoed this sentiment, revealing that Kohli’s excellence is no surprise to the team. “Virat loves representing the country and doing what he does best,” Sharma said.
Arriving in the match with 13,985 runs, Kohli notched his 14,000-run mark in a class shot on covers off pacer Haris Rauf. He joins Sachin Tendulkar and Kumar Sangakkara as the third cricket great to reach this landmark.
Partnerships were pivotal in the match, with Kohli and Shreyas Iyer contributing significantly to a 114-run stand, culminating in Kohli’s historic century. As he celebrated with a raised bat to the crowd’s cheers, Iyer remarked on Kohli’s relentless hunger for runs and dedication to practice.
Although Kohli has faced recent setbacks in the Test and limited-overs cricket, his performance brings back hope as he is set to take the field against New Zealand on his 300th ODI next Sunday, a major milestone after he first played in 2008.
