Ravi Shastri Lauds Virat Kohli’s Consistency Ahead of Champions Trophy Final
Former cricketer Ravi Shastri has praised Virat Kohli for his excellent consistency in cricket, highlighting his discipline and sharp game awareness. At 36 years old, Kohli has played a key role in India’s success at the 2025 Champions Trophy, scoring 271 runs in four matches with an impressive average of 72.33.
As India prepares to face New Zealand in the Champions Trophy final, Kohli’s performance has been remarkable. He began the tournament with a solid unbeaten century against Pakistan in the group stage and followed it up with a crucial 84 runs in the semi-final against Australia, propelling India into the title match.
In a recent episode of the ICC Review, Shastri shared his thoughts on Kohli’s evolution as a player. He noted that Kohli had previously felt the need to surpass his own high standards but has since rediscovered his balance in gameplay.
Shastri explained, "His discipline and understanding of match situations set him apart. There were times when he was trying too hard to achieve more, and that can put you in a tough spot. But now he’s focusing on what he does best—taking singles and playing smartly, which is crucial when chasing targets."
Additionally, Shastri mentioned the advantage of having Shreyas Iyer as part of the team, stating that Iyer’s aggressive play allows Kohli to rotate the strike effectively. "When you can collect singles easily, it reduces the pressure. With someone like Shreyas at the other end, who’s ready to hit big, it just makes the game easier," he added.
As Kohli steps onto the field for his ninth ICC final, he aims to deliver another strong performance against New Zealand at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. So far in the tournament, India has remained unbeaten, securing victory in all four of their matches.
