Pat Cummins mocks Virat Kohli’s slow batting - Crictoday

Crictoday
Lifeline of Cricket

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is fast approaching, and excitement is building as eight teams prepare to compete in the prestigious 50-over tournament. With 15 thrilling matches scheduled across Pakistan and Dubai, the competition promises to showcase intense cricketing action. Australia, the reigning 2023 ODI World Cup champions, are considered the favorites, thanks to their consistent performance in recent ICC events under the leadership of Pat Cummins. However, India’s 2024 T20 World Cup victory has put them in the same league as they aim to add more silverware to their collection following their long-awaited ICC title win last year.
In a recent commercial for the Champions Trophy, Australia’s captain, Pat Cummins, took a playful jab at some of the opposition’s stars, including Virat Kohli, mocking his strike rate.
“Hey Pope, it’s time to start praying. Oi Ben, I’m not feeling too excited about you at the moment. Hey Kohli, I’ve never seen you play so slowly before. Quinton de Block, huh? Well, I’m your Pat Cummins. Time to step it up,” Cummins mentioned in the ad.
India and Australia share the honor of having won the Champions Trophy twice, with India lifting the trophy in 2013 and co-winning it with Sri Lanka in 2002 after a washed-out final. Australia, meanwhile, dominated with back-to-back victories in 2006 and 2009.
As the tournament’s host, Pakistan enters the competition as the defending champion, having triumphed in the 2017 Champions Trophy by defeating India in the final.
For Virat Kohli, the 2025 Champions Trophy represents a critical stage in his career. Under scrutiny for his recent form across formats, Kohli’s performance will be closely watched. India will also face England in a three-match ODI series beginning in Nagpur on Thursday, with the action moving to Cuttack on Sunday and concluding in Ahmedabad on February 12.
The Champions Trophy, set to run from February 19 to March 9, will be jointly hosted by Pakistan and the UAE. India will play its matches in the UAE, following a hybrid model for the event.