Follow UsVirat Kohli started the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 with a score of 22 against Bangladesh but roared back to form with a stunning match-winning century against Pakistan in India’s next fixture. The Men in Blue and New Zealand have already qualified for the semis from Group A but will still come face-to-face against each other on March 2 in Dubai.
Kohli’s form in red-ball cricket has been average for a while but when it comes to the 50-over format, the King is still one of the best in the business. In 31 ODI innings since 2023, Kohli has amassed 1,670 runs at a stunning average of 64.56, studded with nine fifties and seven tons. Kohli will next be up against the Black Caps, versus whom he averages 58.75 in 31 ODIs.
However, three bowlers in the New Zealand set-up can trouble Kohli and possibly even get him out in the last group game of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner has dismissed Kohli three times in ODIs, but the Indian batter averages 60 against the left-arm spinner.
Despite averaging more than 50, Kohli has never actually dominated Santner in the format, as his strike rate of 69.5 would suggest. Kohli has faced 100 or more balls against 43 bowlers in ODIs and against no one does he have a strike rate of less than 70.
Kyle Jamieson wasn’t part of NZ’s initial squad but was brought in as a replacement for Lockie Ferguson. The tall seamer featured in the game against Bangladesh and registered figures of 1/48.
Jamieson has only bowled 16 deliveries to Kohli in ODIs, giving away eight runs, but has superb numbers against him in Test cricket. Kohli has gotten out to Jamieson three times and averages just 11.3. Don’t be surprised if the 30-year-old once again gets the better of Kohli.
Will O'Rourke is yet to play a white-ball game against Kohli but the young paceman did get the better of in the Bengaluru Test when New Zealand toured India last year.
O'Rourke has 19 wickets in 11 ODIs, with five of those wickets coming in New Zealand’s first two games of the ongoing Champions Trophy. Someone who can hit the length on a consistent basis and move the ball, O'Rourke could trouble Kohli in Dubai.