Page 11 - Virat Kohli

Champions Trophy: Axar says he wanted Kohli to reach 100 run mark vs PAK

As Virat Kohli neared his century against Pakistan, India's Axar Patel turned into a human calculator, crunching numbers and silently praying he didn't edge the ball at the other end, all to make sure the superstar reached his milestone. Axar walked in to bat with India needing 19 runs to win and Kohli unbeaten on 86. "At the end, actually main bhi thoda maths kar raha tha unke hundred ke liye (Even I was doing the math for his hundred towards the end). I was hoping that I don't edge the ball or something. So, it was quite fun," Axar said in video posted by ICC. However, Shaheen Afridi bowled three wides in the 42nd over, making Kohli's path to the century a bit trickier. At one point, Axar was even booed for taking a single, as fans wanted Kohli to get maximum strike. With Kohli stranded on 96 and India needing just two runs to win, skipper Rohit Sharma cheekily gestured for him to finish the game with a six. Acknowledging the call, Kohli, instead of going for a maximum, elegant

Kohli admits struggles with cover drive after century against Pakistan

Indian batting maestro Virat Kohli admitted that his trademark cover drive puts him in a "catch-22" situation as it has been a weakness lately but playing the shot gives him control over the innings. Kohli crafted a memorable unbeaten century against Pakistan, steering India to a six-wicket win. His 111-ball masterclass featured the cover drive prominently, a shot that has in recent time led to his downfall but remains a signature weapon in his arsenal. "It's a 'catch-22'. I mean, it's (cover drive) kind of been my weakness as well over the years, but I've scored a lot of runs on that shot," Kohli said in a video posted by BCCI. "I think today was just about backing my shots and I think the first couple of boundaries I got were cover drives on the rise, so I really had to just let it go a little bit and take a bit of risk and follow through with my shots. "Because when I hit that kind of shots, then I feel in control when I bat out there. So, it was a good innings for me personally

Virat and Rohit should be allowed to decide their future: Sarfaraz Ahmed

Indian superstars Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma should be allowed to continue playing and decide their future in international cricket, believes former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed. Questions loomed over the future of India's captain Rohit and senior batter Kohli after consecutive Test series loss to New Zealand and Australia, where both struggled to get going. "People should not even talk about Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Their performances have been outstanding for India," Ahmed told reporters here on Sunday. "Virat Kohli has won those matches for India, and I have seen it with my own eyes, you can't imagine, the kind of performances he has produced for India. "The same goes for Rohit Sharma. The way he is leading the team. He led the team outstandingly in the 2023 (ODI) World Cup and won the T20 World Cup." Ahmed said Virat and Rohit will say their goodbyes to cricket when they think is the right time but until then, India should make their teams "around them". "Let them p

At 36 years, it takes a lot out of me to put in that much effort: Kohli

Virat Kohli said his plan was to attack the pacers and take less risk against the spinners in the high-pressure Champions Trophy clash against Pakistan here on Sunday and having steered the team home with a sparkling hundred, his 36-year-old body is happy to get a week-long break before the next game. India's six-wicket win against arch-rivals has almost sealed a semifinal spot for the side and all but knocked the hosts out of the tournament. Kohli got majority of his runs from running the quick singles and doubles as he collected only seven fours in his 100 not out off 111 balls. "At 36, a week off is very good. It takes a lot out of me to put in that much effort," said the superstar referring to the last group A clash against New Zealand on March 2. He completed his 51st ODI hundred with a four off the last ball of the match. Heading into the high-stakes game, Kohli had his fair share of struggles against the spinners. "It feels good to bat in that manner in an important game, w

Champions Trophy: Kohli becomes the fastest player to reach 14000 ODI runs

Kohli became only the third batter overall and the second Indian after India's Sachin Tendulkar and Sri Lanka's Kumar Sangakkara to reach this milestone

Kohli hits 51st ODI century, takes revenge for 2017 Champions Trophy final

Kohli also became the third player in ODI cricket to complete 14000 runs earlier today. Kohli is now also third highest run-getter in International cricket, only behin Sangakkar and Tendulkar

Gavaskar exclaimed with surprise over Kohli's move to stop the throw

Kohli stopped a direct throw made by the Pakistani fielder on the last ball of the 21st over

Champions Trophy: Can Rohit, Kohli continue to dominate against Pakistan?

Both Sharma and Kohli have delivered numerous standout performances against Pakistan in the past, further cementing their status as two of the greatest cricketers of all time.

Kohli surpasses Azharuddin's record for most catches for India in ODIs

The moment came when Pakistan's Naseem Shah, attempting a charge against Kuldeep Yadav, managed to chip the ball into the air. Kohli, who was positioned in the field, sprinted forward and took it.

IND vs PAK: Key player battles to look forward to in Champions Trophy

With both teams in top form recently, fans are in for a thrilling encounter. India swept England 3-0 at home, while Pakistan clinched ODI series victories over Australia and South Africa.

Virat needs to play with relaxed mind against Pakistan, says Manjrekar

Wahab Riaz believes Shami can leak runs if put under pressure early

Gavaskar urges Kohli to change his batting approach before IND vs PAK in CT

Gavaskar believes Kohli's tendency to open the face of the bat while playing through the covers is making him vulnerable

Champions Trophy 2025: India vs Bangladesh preview, player battles and more

The two teams have only met once in the Champions Trophy, during the 2017 semi-final, where India put on a spectacular show, thumping Bangladesh by nine wickets.

Virat will score heavily and he's going to start from here: Robin Uthappa

Virat Kohli will return to his run-scoring ways in the Champions Trophy and lead the team's batting this year along with Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer, reckons former India player Robin Uthappa. The 36-year-old Kohli's recent struggles in Test cricket have led to discussions about his career, but he has no plans to retire and aims to play in the 2027 ODI World Cup. "Virat will score heavily this year and I think he's going to start doing that from here. I think Virat is there and thereabouts. He will be among runs very, very soon," Uthappa, who has played with Kohli for India and RCB, told PTI Videos in an exclusive interview on Wednesday. "I mean the standard of runs that we are used to seeing Virat score. So, I think it's just a matter of time." he observed. Kohli has been facing criticism for his form in Test cricket of late, and barring a hundred in the series opener in Perth, he has struggled to get going in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, mostly getting out to balls

You can feel the pressure from 1st game: Virat Kohli on Champions Trophy

The Champions Trophy returns this year after a hiatus since 2017, when India lost to Pakistan in the final. India will begin their campaign against Bangladesh on Thursday.

Champions Trophy: Just reaching final no longer a success, says Chopra

Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra believes India's decision to bowl first in the 2017 Champions Trophy final was one of the reasons for their loss

Virat Kohli unfollows Ranveer Allahbadia, fans call it 'silent statement'

After massive backlash against his comments, Virat Kohli has unfollowed Ranveer Allahbadia. The latter has already apologized but it seems like his troubles are not going to end anytime soon

IND vs ENG HIGHLIGHTS, 3rd ODI: All-round India thrash England in Ahmedabad to complete clean sweep

3rd ODI | India vs England HIGHLIGHTS: Shubman Gill (112) with his brilliant innings became the first batter to complete 2500 ODI runs in 50 innings to set the stage for India's win in the match

Virat Kohli is world's best player regardless of form: Chris Gayle

Virat Kohli may have been going through a poor run of form but the senior Indian batter remains the "best player in the world," feels former West Indian swashbuckler Chris Gayle. The 36-year-old Kohli endured yet another poor outing as he was dismissed for just five runs in the second ODI against England in Cuttack on Sunday. But Gayle, who has played alongside Kohli at the Royal Challengers Bengaluru in IPL, remains unperturbed by the Indian's lean stretch. "He is still the best player in the world regardless of the form, Virat Kohli is still the best player, the stats prove that, how many centuries across formats he has scored as well," Gayle said on the sidelines of an event here on Tuesday. "It's just one of those things that we cricketers go through in patches. I know it is coming at the back end of his career as well, but these things do happen, so he just needs to pick himself up and come back again." Kohli has been struggling for runs in international cricket of late, but

IND vs ENG HIGHLIGHTS, 2nd ODI: Rohit's fiery 100 guides India to 4-wicket win; IND take 2-0 lead

2nd ODI | India vs England LIVE SCORE UPDATES: Rohit took just 76 balls to bring up his century