Virat Kohli, the batting wizard, could not repeat his masterly performance against Pakistan in India’s Champions Trophy 2025 game against New Zealand on Sunday at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Kohli began well with two boundaries, but a stunning one-handed catch by Glenn Phillips at point left him amazed.
Matt Henry bowled a ball outside the off-stump in the seventh over. Kohli found enough room to cut powerfully, but Phillips, stationed perfectly, pulled off a jaw-dropping catch in just 0.62 seconds. The brilliance of Phillips’ grab left even Kohli in disbelief. The stadium fell silent, while New Zealand celebrated the prized wicket. Kohli, the third batsman to reach over 14,000 runs in ODIs with a century against Pakistan, was unable to have an impact on his 300th ODI, lasting a mere 14 balls before getting out cheaply.
Kohli’s wife, Anushka Sharma, who was on the ground, clearly shook her head in dismay as Indian top order was lost quickly to 30 runs in 6.3 overs. Matt Henry saw off Shubman Gill (2) and Kohli, while Kyle Jamieson sent Indian captain Rohit Sharma (15) packing.
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Phillips has been producing some outstanding fielding displays in the current Champions Trophy, and there have been discussions whether he is the world’s best fielder currently.
Kohli joined the list of seven cricketers who have played for India in 300 or more ODIs. Sachin Tendulkar is at the top of the list with 463 ODIs, the highest number by any player in world cricket.
India lost the toss again, their 13th consecutive loss since the final of the 2023 Cricket World Cup—the longest such streak in this format. India made a single change to their playing XI, introducing mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy in place of pacer Harshit Rana, as part of a four-spinner attack. India and New Zealand had already sealed their semifinal places from Group A, and this match determined the group winner and the semifinal lineup.