Virat Kohli Breaks Records with a Stellar Knock Against Australia in Champions Trophy Semifinal

Virat Kohli added another chapter to his legendary career with a masterful performance against Australia in the ICC Champions Trophy semifinal. His composed innings of 84 off 98 balls played a crucial role in India’s comfortable chase of 265, guiding the team to victory and securing their place in the final.

India faced early trouble at 43/2, losing both Rohit Sharma (28) and Shubman Gill (8). However, Kohli steadied the innings with key partnerships, adding 91 runs with Shreyas Iyer (45), 44 runs with Axar Patel (27), and 47 runs with KL Rahul (42*). His innings, laced with five boundaries, was built on patience and precision before he was eventually dismissed by Adam Zampa, who has now claimed his wicket six times in ODIs. Hardik Pandya added the finishing touches with a quick 28 off 24 balls, leading India to victory at 267/6 in 48.1 overs. Nathan Ellis (2/48) and Zampa (2/60) were Australia’s most successful bowlers.

With this innings, Kohli rewrote several records. He surpassed Sachin Tendulkar to become the player with the most fifty-plus scores in ICC ODI tournaments, registering his 24th in just 53 innings, compared to Tendulkar’s 23 in 58 innings. Kohli now has 2,541 runs in ICC ODI events, with six centuries and 18 fifties at an average of 65.15, trailing only Tendulkar’s 2,719 runs.

Further etching his name in history, Kohli became the first player to score 1,000 runs in knockout matches across all ICC tournaments. His tally now stands at 1,023 runs at an average of 53.84, with a highest score of 117 in the 2023 World Cup semifinal against New Zealand. Additionally, he became India’s highest run-scorer in ICC Champions Trophy history and the second-highest overall. In 17 matches, Kohli has amassed 746 runs at an impressive average of 82.88, with one century and six fifties. The only player ahead of him in tournament history is Chris Gayle, who has 791 runs.

Another milestone was reached as Kohli became only the second player, after Tendulkar, to cross 8,000 runs in ODI run chases. Among 237 players with at least 1,000 runs in chases, Kohli remains the only one averaging over 60. In 170 ODIs while chasing, he has scored 8,063 runs at 64.50, including 28 centuries and 41 fifties.

His dominance in successful run chases remains unmatched. He holds the record for most runs in winning chases, amassing 5,913 runs at a staggering average of 89.59, including 24 centuries and 25 fifties. His highest score in a chase remains 183.

Earlier in the match, Australia won the toss and opted to bat. Despite losing Cooper Connolly early, Travis Head (39) and Steve Smith built a 50-run stand. Smith continued with crucial partnerships alongside Marnus Labuschagne (29) and Alex Carey (61). Carey’s innings came to an end in the 48th over due to a brilliant direct hit from Shreyas Iyer. Australia was eventually bowled out for 264 in 49.3 overs.

Mohammed Shami led India’s bowling attack with figures of 3/48, while Varun Chakravarthy (2/49) and Ravindra Jadeja (2/40) played key roles. Axar Patel and Hardik Pandya chipped in with a wicket each.