Virat Kohli surpasses Dhoni: Kapil Dev hails India star as the 'greatest among greats' after sensational performance in Dubai

India was facing a tough challenge of chasing 265 runs on a challenging Dubai pitch. The team got off to a shaky start, losing two wickets for just 43 runs within the powerplay. However, Virat Kohli played a brilliant knock of 84 runs off 98 balls, with support from the middle-order batsmen, guiding India to victory with 11 balls to spare. Kohli's exceptional performance earned him the Player of the Match award. He not only anchored the innings beautifully but also became India's top run-scorer in the tournament.

Speaking to India Today, Kapil was his awe of Kohli's temperament and hunger for challenges. He then hailed the 36-year-old as the 'greatest among the greats' in ODI run chases, putting him even ahead of MS Dhoni.

"I think he has the temperament to take up a bigger challenge, and that is where he gets the energy. He likes to play like that and very few cricketers have that temperament. But end of the day, he has the talent and the class on how to win matches. We know Dhoni used to do that, but Kohli is one step ahead of anybody else," he said.

India favourites in Champions Trophy final?

India are the only team yet to incur a defeat in the 2025 Champions Trophy, having won all four games en route to a third successive final in the history of the ICC tournament. They will be up against New Zealand in the final on Sunday in Dubai. The Black Caps secured their place in the final round of the tournament after a 50-run win against South Africa in the second semifinal in Lahore on Wednesday.

India did beat New Zealand in the group-stage en route to the final. Does that make the Rohit Sharma-led side favourites in the final?

Kapil said: "India have more chances, but never rule out any other team in the Champions Trophy."

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