Champions Trophy 2025: India’s Virat Kohli ‘best ODI chaser’, says Australia’s Steve Smith

Kohli has an uncanny ability to take the pressure of the game on to his shoulders and accumulate runs.

“This game is all about pressure, especially big games like semis and finals and if you go deep enough into the innings, and you have enough wickets in hand, the opposition usually gives in and then the game becomes easier,” he said after Tuesday’s knock.

Kohli’s great skill is his ability to rotate the strike.

He has scored the most singles in ODI history, seemingly always able to find the gaps to deny the opponent’s attempt to build pressure.

If you only count the singles Kohli has scored in his 50-over international career (5,870) he would be third on England’s all-time ODI run-scoring list.

“It’s very important to control your impulses while the game is going on,” said the 36-year-old.

“For me it’s about knowing how many overs are left and number of runs left.

“Even if it (the required run-rate) comes to six per over, I’m not bothered as long as we have six or seven wickets in hand because then you know, two set batters can turn the game around and the opposition can only come to the game with wickets.”

Many teams, England included, have had plans to dismiss him with a fifth-stump line and it has worked in recent times in Tests.

But in ODIs after the new-ball phase, Kohli averages more than 50 against balls in ‘the channel’ outside off stump against the white-ball.

If you don’t get him early with that plan, give up.