Virat Kohli's Nemesis In Final; 3 NZ Bowlers Who Might Struggle India Star

Matt Henry In Champions Trophy 2025 [Source: @caught1bowled/x.com]

Virat Kohli has been India's biggest asset after the Sachin Tendulkar-ear. The India star has redefined batting consistency in his own terms and has emerged as one of the brightest shining stars in the history of the game.

Kohli's essence lies in his ability to perform under pressure, especially in big matches and in impossible looking chases. He will be a very important factor for the 'Men in Blue' in the final of the Champions Trophy 2025 against New Zealand.

However, here is a look at three bowlers who might trouble the Indian superstar.

3. William O'Rourke

William O'Rourke [Source: @iamswapnilvats/x.com]

This is will be the first time that Virat Kohli will face the Kiwi pacer in ODIs. In the last match between the two teams in the group stage, Kohli was dismissed before he faced William O'Rourke.

In Test cricket, the two have faced each other before and the Kiwi pacer has dominated the contest. In 29 deliveries, Kohli has scored only 14 runs and has been dismissed once. 

If O'Rourke gets to bowl at Kohli in the early phases of his innings, the pacer might leave an impact on him. The Kiwi pacer can bowl in the corridor of uncertainty and induce a false shot from the Indian batter resulting in his demise.

2. Mitchell Santner

Mitchell Santner in Champions Trophy 2025 [Source: AP Photos]

The New Zealand skipper and Virat Kohli have faced each other many times in the tournament. If we take a look at the overall records then the Indian superstar has dominated this face-off. 

In ODIs, Kohli has scored 180 runs from 259 deliveries at an average of 60.00. This shows that Kohli has played Santner carefully and has used him as the bowler to lay down the foundation of an innings. 

However, in the recent face-offs, Santner has dominated the clash. In 2023, Santner dismissed him twice in 58 deliveries while conceding only 37 runs. 

So while the overall record suggest that Kohli might dominate the clash, recent face-off stats tell that Santner might win the contest. 

1. Matt Henry

Matt Henry and his ability bowl attacking lines will be the biggest worry for Virat Kohli in this match. If we see the overall stats in the face, it looks like a balanced contest.

So far, Henry has bowled 67 deliveries to Kohli and has dismissed him twice conceding 57 runs. While it is slightly tilted in favour of Henry, the recent stats seem to even more concerning for the Indian batter.

In the last two years, Henry has bowled 27 deliveries to Kohli in ODIs and has dismissed him twice in them while conceding 21 runs. So, the recent stats clearly show that Matt Henry has severely troubled Kohli and that could be a concern during the big final.

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