Virat Kohli Iconic Celebration: Virat Kohli again proved himself on the big stage, hitting his 51st ODI century to lead India to a six-wicket win over Pakistan in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. Critics questioned Kohli’s form after the Bangladesh game, but he responded in the best way—by steering India’s chase and sealing victory with a last-ball boundary.
Virat Kohli Iconic Celebration: The ‘Calma’ Celebration and Its Enigma
When Kohli reached his century, he took off his helmet, raised his bat, and pointed to the dressing room before executing the iconic “calma” celebration. This sign, popularized by Suryakumar Yadav, indicated that he was in control of the game. But fans and pundits soon began speculating—whom was this celebration for?
A Message to His Coach, Not Suryakumar Yadav
While many assumed Kohli directed his celebration at Suryakumar Yadav, who was present at the stadium, a Times of India report suggested otherwise.The report stated that Kohli aimed his gesture at his childhood coach, Rajkumar Sharma, who traveled to Dubai to watch his protégé’s masterclass. Suryakumar later clarified on Instagram that he sat in a different section at the time.
Shutting Out the Distractions and Performing Under Stress
In his post-match press conference, Kohli described how he went about the chase. He stressed how he shut out the outside noises and stuck to his game strategy.
“My role was clear—to manipulate the middle overs, not take undue risks against spinners, and attack the pacers,” Kohli explained. “I was satisfied with the template, it’s the way I play ODIs. I have a good idea of my game. It’s about keeping the outside world at bay, managing my energy levels, and staying present.”
A Historic Achievement in ODI Cricket
This century also made Kohli the third player in the history of cricket to go beyond 14,000 ODI runs, and this cemented his place in the format’s history. It was also his first century at the Champions Trophy level and the sixth century overall at ICC ODI tournaments.
A Fitting Answer to Critics
Kohli has been questioned on his form and international cricket future, but he keeps rising to the challenge when it is most needed. His performance against Pakistan was a reminder of his capacity to play under pressure and lead from the front. By using experience, technique, and unparalleled calmness, he again proved why he is India’s largest match-winner.
As the tournament progresses, Kohli’s performance will be crucial for India’s campaign, and if history is any indication, he thrives best when the stakes are high.
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