Dubai [UAE], February 19 (ANI): Forward of the marketing campaign opener in opposition to Bangladesh, star India batter Virat Kohli opened up on why he likes the ICC Champions Trophy as a contest and in what methods it’s just like the T20 World Cup, which India received final yr.
The largest match of the Champions Trophy between two arch-rivals, India and Pakistan, will likely be performed on February 23. India will begin its marketing campaign in opposition to Bangladesh on February 20 and their final league match will likely be in opposition to New Zealand on March 2.
Talking to Star Sports activities, Virat stated, ‘Initially, it has been a very long time now we have performed the Champions Trophy. Truthfully, I’ve at all times preferred this event rather a lot. As a result of, it’s a illustration of how constantly you play cricket for a yr or two. When you find yourself within the prime eight rankings, then you definitely get this reward for enjoying this event. So, a degree of competitors is at all times good on this. And I bear in mind, this has at all times been a really aggressive event.’
‘And the final time we performed a gap match in opposition to Bangladesh within the ICC event (World Cup 2011), it was good for us as we received the event. I’ve good reminiscences of that.’
‘And, like I stated, in the event you apply the T20 World Cup strain within the ODI format, then it is very related. As a result of, you may have 3-4 matches there as nicely. So, if you don’t begin nicely, you get underneath strain. So, I believe the primary couple of video games are very essential. And, it is extremely necessary to carry your A-game in that. And, that’s the reason I prefer it. Strain is there from the primary match, so you need to be at your finest,’ he concluded.
Virat is the Eleventh-highest run-getter within the event’s historical past since his debut within the competitors again in 2009. He has scored 529 runs in 13 matches and 12 innings at a median of 88.16, with a strike charge of 92.32. Amongst Indians, he’s the third-best batter, with Rahul Dravid (627 runs in 19 matches and 15 innings at a median of 48.23, with six fifties) and Shikhar Dhawan (701 runs in 10 innings at a median of 77.88, with three centuries and three fifties). The highest run-getter within the event historical past is West Indies icon Chris Gayle, with 791 runs in 17 innings at a median of 52.73, with three centuries and a fifty). His finest rating is 133*.
Virat was in motion in the course of the ODI collection in opposition to England, which concluded lately.
After lacking the primary ODI on account of a knee damage, he scored 5 and 52 within the remaining matches.
Within the Champions Trophy beginning February 19, Virat will intention to beat his extended stoop in type.
Virat ended the final yr with simply 655 worldwide runs in 23 matches and 32 innings, averaging 21.83, with a century and two fifties to his identify. His finest rating was 100*.
India’s squad for ICC Champions Trophy, 2025: Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shubman Gill (Vice-captain), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (WK), Rishabh Pant (WK), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Mohd. Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Ravindra Jadeja, Varun Chakaravarthy.
Non-travelling substitutes: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Mohammed Siraj and Shivam Dube. The three gamers will journey to Dubai as and when required. (ANI)
