The moment that shocked Indian fans came in the 20th over of India’s innings. Virat Kohli had just walked in after Shubman Gill’s dismissal when New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner introduced Michael Bracewell into the attack. The move paid off immediately, as the off-spinner claimed Kohli’s crucial wicket.

Bowling from over the wicket, Bracewell tossed the ball up, tempting Kohli to play a flick. However, the ball turned sharply and struck him on the front pad. The New Zealand players went up in a loud appeal, and the umpire raised his finger.

ALSO SEE: Watch: Rohit Sharma’s Wicket vs New Zealand in the Champions Trophy 2025 Final Match

Kohli opted for a review, but HawkEye showed three reds, confirming the LBW decision. The Indian star had to walk back, leaving fans disappointed.

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— kuchnahi123@12345678 (@kuchnahi1269083) March 9, 2025

India Loses 2 Wickets As Iyer Joins Captain Rohit

Following Kohli’s departure, Shreyas Iyer came to the crease, looking to steady the innings alongside Rohit Sharma, who had already crossed his fifty. At the time of writing, India was 122 for two, with Rohit unbeaten on 76* and Iyer on 9*.

India have reached their fifth final of the Champions Trophy by beating Australia. They chased the target of 264 runs put on by them, thanks to the chase master Virat Kohli who kept his composure over the chase. India has won all their group games and has been unbeaten in this CT 2025. There were been few hurdles around by still the team showed good composure to clear out all the hurdles

India will be playing their final against New Zealand who have beaten South Africa comfortably. India and New Zealand were in the same group at the Champions Trophy and India beat them in the group stages. Though both teams are in equal stances and what it precedes  India gonna see in our upcoming segments. 

India's Law Of Average In Champions Trophy Tournaments

IICC Champions Trophy were early known as the ICC Knockout Tournaments. India has been active participant in this tournament. Here we gonna decept India's journey through the scenarios of the tournament. 

In 1998 India first time reached the semi finals of ICC Champions Trophy, it was tuff fight against West Indies though India couldn't get par out of it and, were, restrained in semi final. 

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In 2000 India reached its first final of the Champions Trophy where they were facing mighty black caps led by Stephen Fleming. On batting first India posted the fighting total, though New Zealand looked bumped at first but Craise century blew India away and India ended up being runners-up in the Champions Trophy

In 2002 India and Sri Lanka were in the finals of the Champions Trophy but unfortunately the final didn't happen due to rain though having reserve day and both teams were considered joint winners of Champions Trophy 2002.

India reached their third final after 11 years gap in 2013 where they won their all the matches including the final against England which was one of the thrilling contest. India claimed their second title there which deceipted the quota of all trophies claimed by Ms Dhoni. 

India reached their fourth final in 2017 which was against their arch rivals Pakistan which expected to be huge encounter but ended with an one, sided affair where Pakistan won by 180 runs. 

Will India Attain The Main Target

IIndia have reached into their fifth final of the Champions Trophy will they beat the score of 2-2 or will it go other side its mere time to decide. India winning unbeaten in league stages and reaching the finals might be heard it before! Yes you are right. 

Read More: Will India Take Up The Revenge Of 2000 Champions Trophy Final Loss

Remember 2023 world India won all of their matches in 50 over World Cup and lost the final was quite drenching, though CT 2013 we made through final by getting unbeaten which turned out be in our favour. It depends on the day the team plays the good cricket and holds their nerves may get the better results. 

Virat Kohli again showed why he is among the all-time great batsmen with a match-winning 84-run knock in India's semi-final encounter against Australia in the Champions Trophy 2025. His masterful and calm batting was the bedrock of India's pursuit of 265, and it kept them on track for a final berth.

Virat Kohli's Performance in the Semi-Final

India faced early setbacks, losing three wickets at 75/3, but Kohli’s resilience turned the game around. His partnership with KL Rahul helped steady the chase as he combined his signature cover drives, quick singles, and calculated aggression to keep the scoreboard ticking.

Key Highlights of Kohli’s Innings:

• Scored 84 runs under pressure
• Built a crucial partnership with KL Rahul
• Controlled the innings with a strike rate of over 90
• Played a combination of classical and forceful strokes

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How Kohli Constructed His Innings

Virat Kohli began cautiously, playing singles and doubles to acclimatize himself. Once he gained confidence, he started playing his signature strokes, particularly his cover drives and flicks through midwicket. His capacity to modify according to the situation and change gears when necessary was instrumental in India's steady march.

Kohli’s Record-Breaking Form in Champions Trophy 2025

Kohli has been in red-hot form throughout the tournament. In an earlier match against Pakistan, he scored an unbeaten century (100)*, marking his 51st ODI hundred. With this feat, Kohli became the fastest batsman to surpass 14,000 ODI runs, overtaking legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Kumar Sangakkara.

Kohli’s Impact in Big Matches

Kohli has consistently delivered when most required. He is a proven match-winner, and India owes him at least a handful of matches to have won for her in the ICC events alone.

An example of chasing under pressure can be observed in Virat Kohli’s performance against Australia. His show in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 was brilliant, proving that he is still one of the best batsman in the world. Kohli’s experience and brilliance can be expected to lift the trophy once again, as concluded by his performance.

Also See: RCB Unbox Event 2025: A Grand Celebration on March 17!

The legendary wicketkeeper-batter and former India captain MS Dhoni, who is known as the evergreen ‘captain cool,’ turned 43 on Sunday. Dhoni, famous for his calm and brilliant captaincy both in international cricket and the IPL, led Team India to three major ICC trophies. He retired from all forms of cricket on 15 August 2020 ending a remarkable career.

Dhoni’s leadership saw India achieve top honors in all formats. Under his captaincy, India held the top Test ranking for 18 months starting in December 2009, won the One day World Cup in 2011, and secured the T20 world title in 2007 on his captaincy debut.

From ticket collector to cricket icon

Dhoni’s journey is one of the most inspiring in sports history. He went from being a ticket collector at a railway station to becoming India’s most successful captain, leading the team to the ICC T20 World Cup in 2007, ICC Cricket World Cup in 2011, and ICC Champions Trophy in 2013. He made his international debut in 2004 and became known for his aggressive batting, later evolving into a strategic finisher.

Dhoni played 98 T20Is for India, scoring 1,617 runs at an average of 37.60 and a strike rate of 126.13. In Tests, he played 90 matches, scoring 4,876 runs at an average of 38.09, with six centuries and 33 half centuries. He is India’s 14th highest scorer in Tests.

Dhoni’s captaincy and strategic brilliance

As captain, Dhoni led India in 60 Test matches, winning 27, losing 18, and drawing 15, with a win percentage of 45.00. He led India to the number one ranking in ICC Test Rankings and is the only Indian skipper to whitewash Australia in the Border Gavaskar Trophy, achieving this in the 2010-11 and 2012-13 series. He also led Chennai Super Kings to five IPL titles and two Champions League T20 titles.

Dhoni played 264 IPL matches, mostly for CSK, and some for Rising Pune Supergiant in 2016-2017. In these matches, he scored 5,243 runs at an average of 39.13, with 24 half-centuries, 152 catches, and 42 stumpings.

With such impressive statistics as a middle-order batter and a captain, it is unlikely that India and world cricket will see another phenomenon like ‘captain cool’ again.