Virat Kohli credits Hardik Pandya, KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer for India’s CT 2025 semi-final win

India's star batter Virat Kohli played an exceptional knock during the Champions Trophy semi-final match against Australia in Dubai. The veteran cricketer used all his experience and eased down a tricky run-chase to take his team past the finish line.

After the match, Virat Kohli spoke about his desperation and hunger to score more runs for his team. Kohli revealed his game plan and spoke about how he prepares for big games like this one.

While it was a brilliant knock from the veteran, Kohli didn't forget to mention the contributions of his other teammates in the victory. Kohli held the innings together and the rest of the batters played around him perfectly.

Also read: Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma's retirement delayed: "We are going to win Olympics"

Virat Kohli breaks silence on his match-winning knock

After the match, Virat Kohli spoke to the BCCI where he was asked about the secret of his success. Kohli believes that he enjoys batting when he is at the crease and just wants to work hard by putting his head down.

"I just love playing this game. I just love batting. As long as the joy of batting and the love for batting is alive, all the other things can take care of themselves," the 36-year-old said.

"You're not going to a desperate situation and put your head down, thank God, and just keep working towards what the team wants. More often than not, you'll have results like these," he added.

Kohli further spoke about his preparations for the big matches and revealed how he gets mentally ready for such games. He just wants to follow his own template which involves batting without much risk and concentrating on taking singles and doubles.

"For me, at this stage of my career, it's all about just getting up for these games, just getting excited, coming out here, hopefully doing the job for the team and working hard as much as I can, run hard between the wickets, and play according to the demands of the situations," said Kohli.

"When all those things come together and comes off, you obviously feel really good and to get the team across the line and it's a great feeling," he added.

𝙅𝙪𝙨𝙩. 𝘼𝙣𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧. 𝘾𝙝𝙖𝙨𝙚 ft. Virat Kohli 😎

We got the chase-master himself to decode #TeamIndia's semi-final win over Australia 🫡

WATCH 🎥🔽 - By @mihirlee_58 #INDvAUS | #ChampionsTrophy | @imVkohli

— BCCI (@BCCI) March 5, 2025

Virat Kohli speaks on the role of his teammates

In the same video, Virat Kohli also lauded his teammates for contributing to the team's victory. He recalled the special knocks from Hardik Pandya, KL Rahul, and Shreyas Iyer that enabled India to the famous win.

"As a team, you feel really great when people keep stepping up through an innings. When it's a team victory, it feels amazing. Hardik (Pandya) hit those two crucial shots at a nervous point for us," the 36-year-old batter said.

"KL (Rahul) batted outstandingly to close the game off. Shreyas (Iyer) had a great partnership with me. For us, it's the all-round effort that counts. People are in a great space and then you qualify for the final. You've a couple of days off, everything to look forward to," he added.

Virat Kohli scored 84 off 98 balls which included 5 fours. Iyer, Rahul, and Hardik also made vital contributions with the bat. Iyer struck 45 runs off 62 balls and steadied India's innings after early losses.

Meanwhile, Pandya struck a fiery 28 down the order and Rahul stayed unbeaten in the end with 42 off just 34 balls. Rahul also smashed the winning runs as he struck a magnificent six towards wide long-on.

India into third consecutive ICC final

India will face the winners of South Africa and New Zealand in the final in Dubai on March 9. This is the third consecutive ICC final for India after they made it to the summit clash in the T20 World Cup 2024 and the ODI World Cup 2023 as well.

India have won all their four games this tournament and will be favorites for the final as well. However, they will be under immense pressure going into this game.