 "Virat Kohli struck his 51st ODI century as India defeated Pakistan. Image: AP")
Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma and teammate Shreyas Iyer were full of praise for Virat Kohli after the star batter guided India to a comprehensive win over Pakistan in the Champions Trophy 2025 on Sunday. Kohli smashed 100 not out off 111 balls to push India closer to a semi-final spot by beating Pakistan by six wickets .
Champions Trophy 2025: News | Schedule | Results | Points Table
Kohli’s century not only helped India beat Pakistan but also announced the return of the star batter to form who had been struggling for a while, having only scored 190 in five Tests in Australia recently.
‘Kohli is always hungry for runs’
Skipper Rohit said the dressing room wasn’t surprised to see Kohli pick up his game against arch-rivals Pakistan as he loves playing for the nation.
“Virat loves representing the country, doing what he does the best, which is what he did today. People sitting inside the dressing room aren’t surprised with what he did,” Rohit said.
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Shreyas Iyer, who scored 56 and forged a 114-run partnership with Kohli, said he never felt that senior batter was struggling for runs as the 36-year-old has always “been hungry”.
“I have never thought of Virat struggling for runs,” Iyer said. “It is just the mindset that he possesses over the years. He is always hungry for runs. I remember yesterday, he had come almost an hour before us for the practice session and he played a few balls and he was looking from outside.
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“He looked as crisp as he looks all the time. So, I never feel that he is struggling for his runs,” he added.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsThe latest century was Kohli’s 51st ODI hundred and 82nd overall.