'His awareness of match..'- Ravi Shastri praises Virat Kohli for bringing game stability

Virat Kohli has been complimented by former cricketer Ravi Shastri for his exceptional consistency, which he attributes to his discipline and game knowledge. Ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final against New Zealand, Kohli has received praise from former coach Ravi Shastri, which will boost his confidence. In this tournament, Virat Kohli has smashed 271 runs in four games with an average of 72.33.

A part of India's winning teams for the 2011 ICC World Cup and the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy, Virat Kohli has amassed 14180 runs at an average of 58.11 in 300 ODIs, including 51 hundreds, enjoying unmatched success in the ODI format for his country. Kohli helped India advance to the final with a crucial 84 in the semi-final match against Australia after scoring an undefeated 100 against Pakistan in the group stage.

In the most recent episode of the ICC Review, Ravi Shastri talked about how Kohli has improved his game stability after struggling to surpass himself. “His discipline and his awareness of match situations (are what sets him apart). I thought he tried to get ahead of himself in the last three or four years, where he was trying to outdo what he's good at and sometimes it can catch up on you,” Shastri said.

Ravi Shastri praised Shreyas Iyer for supporting

Kohli has benefited from having a batter of Shreyas Iyer's caliber, according to Shastri, who said it has helped him rotate the strike. “When you pick up singles with ease, there's no pressure. And then when you have another guy at the other end, someone like Shreyas (Iyer) who comes and smacks it, it takes the pressure off; it becomes still easier,” Shastri added.

India will meet New Zealand at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in an ICC final for the ninth time, and Kohli will be looking to make another important knock.  After winning all four of their games, India is still undefeated in the Champions Trophy.  In Sunday's Champions Trophy final between India and New Zealand in Dubai, Kohli will try to cement his legacy by attempting to win the trophy for the second time.