Virat Kohli -Scripts Rare feat in CT 2025 final, joining Sachin Tendulkar on the Elite India list

When India took the field in their Champions Trophy final against New Zealand in Dubai on Sunday, Star Batter Virat Kohli achieved a rare milestone. Kohli, who plays his third equal Champions Trophy final, was only the second Indian player to play 550 international matches. Only beating Great Sachin Tendulkar (664) played more matches than him. Tendulkar, who retired in 2013, 200 tests, 463 ODIs and a T20i. Meanwhile, Kohli has represented India in 123 tests, 302 ODDs and 125 T20i’s. (Ind vs nz final live)

Most international matches for India

Sachin Tendulkar 664
Virat Kohli 550*
MS DHONI 538
Rahul Dravid 509
Rohit Sharma 499*

Kohli has been in sublime form of India in Champions Trophy. Before the final, he had collected 217 races in four games, including a century in the group game game against Pakistan. Kohli is in violation of ending the tournament as the leading run-scorer.

Kohli’s career in ODIs has been nothing short of spectacular – 14,180 races an average of 58.11, with a record 51 centuries, which permanently establishes its dominance in the format.

In the latest episode of ICC Review, Shastri, which worked closely with Kohli in an extremely successful coach-captain combination, sheds light on what makes him the undisputed king of the 50-over format.

“His discipline, his awareness of combat situations (is what sets him apart). I thought he was trying to get ahead of himself in the last three or four years, trying to surpass what he is good at, and sometimes it can catch up on you,” Shastri told Sanjana Ganesan as quoted by ICC.

“But he is back to what he does best, which is to take the singles, hit the ball along the ground, if necessary, go for the big one. Some of the biggest players who played one-day games, especially in the hunt, are guys who can do it. When you pick up singles with slightly easier,” he added.

Shastri also praised Kohli’s energy, which always gave it all on the field and made sure he is in the game.

“You know people (like to) see sports when they see a sportsman with energy. Whether his name is (Cristiano) Ronaldo or it is (Lionel) Messi, or whether it is a (novak) djokovic, or whether it is (Rafael) Nadal, that energy they bring in – there is a certain kind of charisma, and it is rubbing by other people.

(With ANI -Input)