As India's Champions Trophy 2025 beckons, Virat Kohli's batting prowess will be a key component in India's fortunes in the tournament.
Amid a current lean patch, Kohli will have to step up if he wills to put up a strong show in Dubai.

It might be a strange feeling to even comprehend Virat Kohli, a run machine, currently toiling for some numbers under his belt, but luckily, an ICC tournament around the corner means the Indian star may return to his best self, as he has often done over the years, especially in the ODI format.
And if we have a peek back to Virat Kohli's Champions Trophy credentials, Indian fans may have a cause to breathe a bit easily. Virat Kohli's journey in the ICC Champions Trophy has been nothing short of remarkable.
Over three editions-2009, 2013, and 2017-he has showcased his batting prowess, amassing a total of 529 runs in 13 matches at an impressive average of 88.16 and a strike rate of 92.32. His contributions have been pivotal in solidifying India's position in the tournament during these years.
Kohli made his Champions Trophy debut in 2009 in South Africa. In this edition, he played three matches, scoring 95 runs at an average of 95.00 and a strike rate of 74.21. His standout performance was an unbeaten 79 against the West Indies, highlighting his potential on the international stage.
The 2013 edition in England was a memorable one for India, as they clinched the title. Kohli played a significant role, featuring in five matches and accumulating 176 runs at an average of 58.66 and a strike rate of 95.65. His highest score in the tournament was an unbeaten 58 against Sri Lanka, underscoring his ability to perform in crucial matches.
Kohli's performance peaked in the 2017 Champions Trophy, also held in England. He emerged as one of the tournament's top scorers, amassing 258 runs in five innings at a staggering average of 129.00 and a strike rate of 98.85. He registered three half-centuries, with his highest being an unbeaten 96 against Bangladesh in the semi-final.
| Matches (Innings) | 13 (12) |
| Runs | 529 |
| Average | 88.16 |
| Strike Rate | 92.32 |
| Highest Score | 96* |
| 50s | 5 |
| 100s | 0 |
| 4s | 53 |
| 6s | 8 |
Although the unbeaten 96 is Virat Kohli's best score in the tournament, his knock against South Africa in the same edition was quite brilliant as well. But Virat's most pleasing knock came against Pakistan in the CT 2017 when he scored a fantastic unbeaten 81 in just 68 deliveries.
Across these three editions, Kohli's consistency has been evident. Kohli is not just the highest scorer in Champions Trophy, but his monumental average is the highest among batters who have played at least 10 innings in the competition. Perhaps Virat's only wishlist will be to score a century in the competition, which is yet to be achieved. The entire India will be praying for that!