Virat Kohli Just 39 Runs Short Of Achieving Elusive Feat Among Indian Batters Ahead Of Semifinal Against Australia In CT 2025

Champions Trophy 2025: Rohit Sharma-led Team India will take on Australia in the first semi-final clash of the ongoing Champions Trophy 2025 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on March 4. The Men in Blue will aim to avenge their ODI World Cup 2023 heartbreak against the Baggy Greens.

The last time these two sides faced each other in an ICC ODI tournament was in 2024, during the final match of the ODI World Cup, Rohit Sharma's side conceded a disappointing six-wicket defeat at the Narendra Modi Stadium. However, the upcoming game will be the perfect stage for Team India to take revenge.

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Virat Kohli 39 Runs Behind To Achieve Elusive Landmark In Champions Trophy

Kohli played his first Champions Trophy game in 2009, and since then, he has played 16 matches in the ICC tournament, scoring 662 runs at a strike rate of 89.94. In India's upcoming match against Australia, the star batter will be eyeing to become the highest run scorer among Indians in the Champions Trophy.

The 36-year-old is just 39 runs behind former Indian batter Shikhar Dhawan to achieve the unique feat in the prestigious tournament. Dhawan played 10 matches in the Champions Trophy and scored 701 runs at a strike rate of 101.59.

The Men in Blue need to win their upcoming fixture in the tournament to confirm their place in the final of the Champions Trophy 2025, where they will face the winner of the second semi-final match between South Africa and New Zealand.

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India's Dominant Run In Champions Trophy 2025

After winning three consecutive group stage fixtures, India have earned the tag of 'favourites' in the 15-match ICC tournament. Meanwhile, the mighty Australians are also unbeaten in the ongoing tournament, but injury problems have become a big headache for the Aussies, with top players missing out from the squad due to fitness issues.

Top Indian batter Virat Kohli's form will give a major boost to the Men in Blue in their upcoming clash. The 36-year-old right-handed batter had a low-key start in the tournament, scoring just 22 runs against Bangladesh. However, Kohli scored an unbeaten ton against their arch-rivals, Pakistan, on February 23. In India's previous match, the top-order batter scored 11 runs against New Zealand.