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[Watch] Virat Kohli Explains What It Means To Be A Part Of Champions Trophy 2025

Arnav Chopra

Virat Kohli (Source: @StarSportsIndia/X.com)Virat Kohli (Source: @StarSportsIndia/X.com)

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Former Indian skipper Virat Kohli is all set to face Bangladesh in their Champions Trophy 2025 opening game in Dubai. The legendary batter, who will be playing in his fourth Champions Trophy since the 2009 edition, spoke about the tournament and their upcoming rivals, Bangladesh.

Speaking exclusively to the broadcasters Star Sports, Kohli, who is also eyeing his fourth ICC title, is all excited to face the Tigers when they meet them on February 20, 2025.

Virat Kohli Explains Champions Trophy's Significance

Virat Kohli who has been one of the finest players of his era, revealed that the Champions Trophy is among his favourite tournaments, considering the format and the fact that it rewards the best teams in the world as maintaining a top-eight position is always a crucial task.

"First of all, the Champions Trophy is happening after a long time. Honestly, I have always liked this tournament because it's one representation that when you consistently play cricket for 1-2 years and stay in top 8 rankings then you get rewarded by playing at these tournaments,"

Additionally, Kohli went back in time to remember the 2011 World Cup, which India won as they faced Bangladesh in the opening game of the tournament. He has fond memories of India having a great time on the field.

"So, there has to be some level of competition and from what I remember it's been a very competitive tournament and the last time we played against Bangladesh in the opening match of an ICC tournament, it was a very good match for us when we won 2011 World Cup. There are some great memories of that,"

Champions Trophy Is Tough Believes Kohli

After which, Kohli started comparing the Champions Trophy with the T20I World Cup format, as he considers this to be a tough place, considering each team has three matches at most, and making use of them becomes essentially crucial for any side.

Moreover, he believes performing at the best in this tournament is quite vital because teams are under immense pressure during each and every encounter, with one loss making their journey extremely challenging.

"As I said, if you apply T20 World Cup pressure to ODI format then its similar because even here you have 3-4 matches. So, when your start is not so well then you get under pressure. The first couple of games are very crucial and it's important to bring your A-game in. That is why I like it as pressure stays with you from the first match. So, you have be at your best."

Focusing on the India-Bangladesh game, both these sides will go head-to-head at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on 20th February. After which, the Indian side will clash against the hosts Pakistan at the same venue, followed by an India-New Zealand tussle on the 2nd of March during the Champions Trophy 2025.