Image: Virat Kohli was targeted with Chokli chants during the post-match handshake / © ESPNcricinfo
In the Champions Trophy 2025 opener, India faced Bangladesh, with the spotlight on Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Bangladesh set a target of 228 runs while batting first. Rohit gave India a strong start, scoring 41 off 36 balls, but Kohli struggled, managing only 22 off 38 deliveries, including a solitary boundary. His poor performance continued to fuel criticism, with fans expressing disappointment.
The situation escalated post-match when a video surfaced showing some fans in Dubai mocking Kohli with “Chokli” chants and sarcastically calling him the “No.1 Test batter” during the handshake ritual. However, the authenticity of the video remains unverified.
Kohli’s struggles in the Champions Trophy are well-documented. In 13 innings across editions, he has scored 551 runs at an impressive average of 78 but is yet to score a century in the tournament. His highest score remains an unbeaten 96, with five fifty-plus scores to his name.
Meanwhile, Shubman Gill stole the show, smashing a century that broke records previously held by Tendulkar and Kohli. This match also saw Mohammed Shami grab a five-wicket haul, further highlighting India’s dominance in their opening encounter.