Champions Trophy 2025: Basit Ali says Rohit Sharma is lucky to have Virat Kohli in his team

Former Pakistan batter Basit Ali reckons Indian captain Rohit Sharma is lucky to have a player like Virat Kohli in his team. Kohli scored a match-winning knock of 84 runs off just 98 balls in the Champions Trophy semifinal against Australia at Dubai on Tuesday.

The talisman has delivered for India on numerous occasions in the big matches and this was Kohli’s seventh Player of the Match award in major ICC tournaments. 

The right-hander was able to handle the pressure against Australia in the run-chase of 265 and took 56 singles in his knock as he once again showed calmness in the middle overs.

Speaking on his YouTube Channel, Basit Ali said, “Rohit Sharma is very lucky to have Virat Kohli in his team.”

Ali highlighted that Kohli gives his best for the team in the field as he is always motivating his players even when he gets out for a duck.

“Even if he gets out on zero, he gives everything on the field. He gives advice to the captain. Everyone watches what he does. If the team needs support, he urges the crowd to cheer. A team that has a player like Virat Kohli can lose at times, but not for too long, because he knows how to perform.”

On the other hand, Virat Kohli said personal milestones take a backseat for him and his focus is always to play a key role in the team’s win.

Kohli said in the post-match presentation, “I’m never focused on those things – when you don’t think of those milestones they happen along the way, for me it’s about taking pride for the team. If the hundred comes, good, if not, there’s a happy dressing room when you win. For me, these things do not matter anymore.”

India will take on New Zealand in the summit clash of the Champions Trophy at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai on Sunday.