Follow UsVirat Kohli once again played a match-winning knock against Australia in the ICC Champions Trophy semi-final, hitting 84 off 98 before holing out at long-on. He was on his way to yet another century, but his innings was cut short after putting on vital partnerships with KL Rahul, Axar Patel and Shreyas Iyer.
While Kohli may have fallen prey to the temptation to go big, he believes that the key to success in pressure games like this is controlling one's impulses.
"This game is all about pressure, especially in big games like semis and finals. If you go deep into the innings and have wickets in hand, the opposition usually gives in, and the game becomes easier. It is very important to control your impulses while the game is going on," Kohli said at the post-match presentation after India booked their place in the semi-final.
Kohli also revealed that his aim was to keep rotating the strike and keep the scorecard ticking, just like he did during his century against Pakistan.
"It was pretty similar to the other day against Pakistan as well. For me, it is about understanding the basics and preparing my game accordingly.. just rotating strike because on this pitch, partnerships are the most important thing," Kohli said.
"My only effort that day and today was to string in enough partnerships. The time that I got out the plan was to get 20 more and try and finish it off in a couple of overs. Usually, that's the template I follow, but sometimes you can't execute what you want to."
Speaking about the aspects that pleased him the most during his innings against Australia, Kohli said, "My timing. The composure at the crease.
"I wasn't feeling desperate and feeling happy knocking ones around and when as a batsman you start taking pride in taking singles into the gaps, that is when you know you are playing good cricket and you know you are in for a big partnership. In the game against Pakistan and today, that was the most pleasing factor for me."
Kohli has been in scintillating form in ODIs of late, having hit seven hundreds and 10 fifties since 2023. Is this the best he has played in ODIs? Kohli wasn't keen to be drawn into that discussion.
"I don't know that's up to you guys to break down. I have never focussed on those things. I never spoken about those things," Kohli, who played his 300th ODI in the previous match against New Zealand, said.
"When you don't think about milestones, it happens along the way to victories. I take pride in doing what my team wants. Those things don't matter anymore for me. It's just about stepping out and hopefully doing the job for the team."
With this six-wicket win, India have made it to their third consecutive Champions Trophy final. They will take on one of South Africa or New Zealand in the final on March 9 (Sunday).