Kohli sees Bangladesh opener as India's lucky charm
India ended their ICC title drought last year, with Kohli playing a pivotal role in the T20 World Cup final. Now, the 36-year-old hopes to carry that momentum into the Champions Trophy.
India will begin their Champions Trophy campaign against Bangladesh on 20 February at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, a fixture Virat Kohli believes bodes well for their title hopes.
The star batsman pointed out an intriguing pattern from previous ICC tournaments. India's 2011 ODI World Cup and 2024 T20 World Cup triumphs both began with opening victories against Bangladesh.
Speaking to Star Sports, Kohli said, "We've played our first match against Bangladesh twice before—in 2011 and 2024—and both times we became champions. Starting against them usually sets the tone for us. Hopefully, it'll be the same this time."
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However, history offers a cautionary tale. In the 2007 World Cup, India's opening match against Bangladesh ended in a shock defeat, leading to an early group-stage exit. Kohli's side will be eager to avoid a similar fate, especially in a tournament known for its fierce competition.
"The Champions Trophy is one of my favourite tournaments," Kohli added. "Only the top eight teams qualify, so you have to perform consistently throughout the year. Every match is intense, and there's no room for slip-ups."
India ended their ICC title drought last year, with Kohli playing a pivotal role in the T20 World Cup final. Now, the 36-year-old hopes to carry that momentum into the Champions Trophy.
"We want to approach this with the same mindset we had in the T20 World Cup. Both tournaments are short, and winning from the start is crucial. One bad game can pile on the pressure," Kohli concluded.
