Indian star discusses the tournament’s high-stakes nature and its similarities to T20 World Cup
Dubai [UAE], February 20: Ahead of India’s opening clash against Bangladesh, star batter Virat Kohli shared his thoughts on the ICC Champions Trophy, expressing his admiration for the tournament and drawing comparisons to the T20 World Cup.
India, the 2017 Champions Trophy finalists, will begin their campaign against Bangladesh on February 20, followed by the much-anticipated India-Pakistan clash on February 23. Their final Group A fixture will be against New Zealand on March 2.
Why Kohli Loves the Champions Trophy
Speaking to Star Sports, Kohli highlighted why the tournament holds a special place for him.
“It has been a long time since we played the Champions Trophy. Honestly, I have always liked this tournament a lot because it reflects how consistently a team plays over a year or two. Being among the top eight teams and earning a spot in this tournament is a reward for good performances,” Kohli said.
He also recalled India’s 2011 World Cup opener against Bangladesh, a game India won en route to lifting the trophy.
“I have good memories of playing Bangladesh in ICC tournaments. The last time we played them in the opening game of a World Cup (2011), we won the tournament.”
Kohli further compared the Champions Trophy to the T20 World Cup, explaining how early setbacks could be decisive.
“If you apply T20 World Cup pressure in ODIs, this tournament is very similar. You only get 3-4 matches in the group stage, so if you don’t start well, you immediately feel the heat. That’s why the first couple of games are very crucial, and bringing your A-game is necessary. The pressure is there from the very first match, which is what makes it exciting,” he added.
Kohli’s Champions Trophy Legacy
Since making his Champions Trophy debut in 2009, Kohli has established himself as one of the most consistent performers in the tournament.
🏏 Champions Trophy Stats:
- 529 runs in 13 matches at an average of 88.16
- Strike rate: 92.32
- Best score: 133*
Among Indian batters, he ranks third in all-time tournament runs, behind:
1️⃣ Shikhar Dhawan (701 runs, Avg: 77.88)
2️⃣ Rahul Dravid (627 runs, Avg: 48.23)
The highest run-getter in Champions Trophy history is Chris Gayle, with 791 runs in 17 innings at an average of 52.73.
Kohli’s Recent Form & Champions Trophy Challenge
Kohli featured in the recent ODI series against England, scoring 52 in the final match after missing the first ODI due to a knee injury. However, his form in 2024 was inconsistent, with just 655 international runs in 23 matches at an average of 21.83.
With the Champions Trophy marking a fresh start, Kohli will be keen to rediscover his best form and guide India toward their first ICC trophy in the format since 2013.
India’s Squad for ICC Champions Trophy 2025
Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill (vc), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (WK), Rishabh Pant (WK), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Ravindra Jadeja, Varun Chakaravarthy.
Non-traveling substitutes: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Mohammed Siraj, Shivam Dube.
Tags: ICC Champions Trophy 2025, India vs Bangladesh, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, India Cricket, Team India, Champions Trophy Stats, Cricket News