'Greatest ODI Cricketer Of All Time': Former Australia Skipper Lauds 'Class Player' Virat Kohli's Knock In CT 2025 Semi-Final

Champions Trophy 2025: Star Indian cricketer Virat Kohli's solid 84-run knock helped the Men in Blue clinch a four-wicket triumph over Australia in the semi-final clash of the Champions Trophy 2025 on March 4, helping Rohit Sharma's side to confirm their berth in the final of the ongoing ICC tournament. The 36-year-old scored 84 runs from 98 balls at a strike rate of 85.71 and was named the 'Player of the Match'. He slammed five fours during his time on the crease.

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While chasing the target of 265 runs, India struggled a bit in the initial stage of the second inning after losing the two openers, Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill. However, Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer's 91-run stand helped the Men in Blue make a comeback in the game.

Kohli was unlucky in the 43rd over when he lost his wicket to Adam Zampa while trying to hit the ball over the covers. Later, it was Hardik Pandya's clutch knock, scoring 28 runs from 24 balls, which helped Team India inch closer to the target. In the final moments of the game, when the Men in Blue needed just four runs to seal the match, KL Rahul finished it off in style by slamming six over wide long-on.

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Former Australia Captain's Big Praise For Virat Kohli

While speaking exclusively on JioHotstar, former Australia captain Michael Clarke showered praise on Kohli for reading the conditions "brilliantly". The Aussie also called the 36-year-old the greatest ODI cricketer of all time.

"Once again, he assessed the conditions brilliantly. A class player, he knew exactly what his team needed and how to put them in a position to win the game. We saw the same in his century against Pakistan. Virat has every shot in the book—there's no questioning his ability to find boundaries. He is, in my opinion, the greatest one-day cricketer of all time, and he continues to prove it on the biggest stage, under the highest pressure. He knows what to do, and he delivers when it matters most," Clarke told JioHotstar.

Team India's Dominating Run in CT 2025

In the ongoing Champions Trophy 2025, the Men in Blue are just one win away from getting their hands on the silverware. Team India made their way into the knockout stage, staying unbeaten in the group stage, beating Bangladesh, Pakistan, and New Zealand. In the final of the ongoing 15-match ICC tournament, Rohit Sharma's side will take on the winner of the second semi-final between South Africa and New Zealand.