Team India claimed the ICC Champions Trophy after 12 years by defeating New Zealand. In a match played on Sunday, India chased down a target of 252 runs to win by four wickets, securing the ICC title for the seventh time. It is the third time Team India has captured the Champions Trophy, making them the first team in the world to achieve this milestone. The performance of Indian players throughout the series was exceptional. However, for Virat Kohli, this series held special significance. Whether it was his unbeaten century against Pakistan in the group stage or the vital innings in the semi-finals, Kohli demonstrated why he is regarded as the king of cricket.
Virat's Journey
Team India's first match in the Champions Trophy was against Bangladesh. India needed 229 runs to win in this match, and Kohli scored 22 runs. India's next match was against Pakistan on February 23. Kohli emerged as the crisis solver for India chasing 242 runs, scoring a splendid unbeaten century, leading India to a comfortable victory. In the final group stage match against New Zealand, Kohli's bat went quiet, and he only managed 11 runs.
Source: aajtak
Performance in the Knockouts
In the semi-final match of the Champions Trophy, India faced Australia. Australia set a target of 265 runs for India. Team India suffered two early setbacks with the loss of Rohit and Gill. Once again, Virat Kohli became the savior and played a brilliant knock of 84 runs, securing India's place in the final. Although in the final match, Kohli managed to score only one run.
With a total of 218 runs, which included a century and a half-century, Kohli emerged as the fifth-highest run-getter in this series.
Source: aajtak
Why This Title is Special for Virat
This title is significant for Virat Kohli for various reasons. It's his fourth ICC title following victories in 2011, 2013, 2024, and now the Champions Trophy. He was part of the Champions Trophy-winning team twice. This title holds even more importance because India has won two ICC titles in the past nine months. With speculations about Kohli's retirement gathering pace, there couldn't have been a more opportune moment for this achievement.
