Indian cricket legend Virat Kohli silenced his critics with an unbeaten century on Sunday, leading India to a six-wicket win over Pakistan in the Champions Trophy.
Kohli's 51st ODI century, which took him past 14,000 career runs, was crucial in guiding India to the brink of the semi-finals in Dubai.
The 36-year-old's performance was a statement, coming at a time when there had been widespread speculation about his future in the game. Kohli entered the match with 13,985 ODI runs and achieved the remarkable feat with a flowing punch through the covers off Pakistan pacer Haris Rauf, becoming only the third player to surpass 14,000 runs in One-Day Internationals. He joins the ranks of cricket icons Sachin Tendulkar (18,426) and Kumar Sangakkara (14,234).
Reflecting on his approach during the high-pressure match, Kohli explained, "My job was clear—to control the middle overs, avoid risks against spinners, and take on the pacers." He emphasized the importance of blocking out external distractions and maintaining focus: "It’s easy to get pulled into the frenzy, but I focus on keeping the noise away, managing my energy levels, and sticking to my game."
Pakistan’s Mohammad Rizwan praised Kohli’s determination, saying, "I wonder how hard he worked when the whole world was saying he was out of form, yet he scores runs effortlessly in a match everyone was watching." Kohli’s India captain, Rohit Sharma, was equally complimentary: "Virat loves representing the country. People in the dressing room aren’t surprised by what he did."
Kohli’s century came after a slow start in the tournament, where he scored just 22 in India's opening win against Bangladesh. His 82nd ton across all formats sealed the win for India, with a boundary that was met by a standing ovation from the crowd.
Looking ahead, Kohli will play his 300th ODI next Sunday in a group match against New Zealand.
