Former India coach Ravi Shastri has shed light on what makes Virat Kohli exceptional in ODI cricket ahead of the 2025 Champions Trophy final. Shastri believes Kohli’s unmatched discipline and game awareness have set him apart, even though his form had dipped in recent years.
The 36-year-old has played a crucial role in India‘s journey to the final, delivering key performances against Pakistan and Australia while anchoring chases in challenging situations.
Speaking on the latest episode of the ICC Review, Shastri emphasized that Kohli has returned to his strengths rotating the strike effectively and keeping his shots grounded.
“He has regained his sharpness in reading match situations. In recent years, he seemed to push beyond his natural game, which sometimes worked against him. But now, he’s back to what he does best rotating the strike, keeping the ball on the ground, and picking the right moments for big shots. The greatest ODI players, particularly in chases, excel at this. When you can rotate the strike effortlessly, the pressure doesn’t build.”
Kohli recently became the fastest batter to reach 14,000 ODI runs, achieving the milestone in just 287 innings. He joined legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Kumar Sangakkara in this elite club.
Shastri also compared Kohli’s presence and energy to global sports icons such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Novak Djokovic, and Rafael Nadal, highlighting the charisma and influence he brings to the game.
“Fans are drawn to athletes who bring energy to the game. Whether it’s Ronaldo, Messi, Djokovic, or Nadal, their passion and presence make them compelling to watch. That energy is contagious, inspiring those around them. It also highlights the sacrifices they make. I saw the same dedication in Tendulkar—despite his love for food and enjoying life like his teammates, he always put his game first.”
Kohli was part of India’s squad when they last won the Champions Trophy in 2013 under MS Dhoni’s leadership, and he now looks to add another title to his name.