Virat Kohli has earned the title of 'chase master,' a term initially attributed to the iconic Sachin Tendulkar, who is celebrated as the greatest in run chases in ODI history. On Tuesday, during a challenging match in Dubai, Kohli delivered a commendable half-century in the Champions Trophy semifinal against Australia, where India was pursuing a target of 264. However, he squandered the chance to convert this performance into a century, which left head coach Gautam Gambhir visibly frustrated.

Kohli played a pivotal role in stabilizing the innings after India found themselves in a precarious position at 43 for 2 in the eighth over. He formed a significant partnership of 89 runs for the third wicket with Shreyas Iyer, contributed an additional 44 runs alongside Axar Patel at No. 5, and added 47 runs with KL Rahul for the fifth wicket.

Throughout these vital partnerships, Kohli achieved his 24th fifty-plus score in ICC ODI tournaments within 53 innings, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar's record of 23 in 58 innings, thereby adding another accolade to his illustrious career. He also became the first player to amass 1000 runs in knockout matches across all ICC events.

Kohli's primary objective was to lead India to victory, which would have marked his second century in the Champions Trophy, following his first against Pakistan at the same venue just over a week prior. However, while facing a well-delivered googly from Adam Zampa, Kohli opted for an ambitious shot over cow corner. Unfortunately, the ball made contact with the lower part of the bat and was directed straight to the fielder at long-on.

Both KL Rahul and Gambhir expressed their discontent with Kohli's dismissal, with Gambhir notably seen conveying his frustration regarding the 36-year-old's decision to relinquish his wicket. "Maar toh raha tha woh (KL Rahul was already hitting)," Gambhir was heard saying in a video that gained traction on social media.

Later, the camera showed Gambhir having an animated chat with Kohli in the dressing room, making gestures with his hand showing the shot on which the former India captain got out.

Gambhir hails 'phenomenal' Kohli

Gambhir commended Kohli during the post-match press conference, despite the earlier incident in the dressing room. He emphasized Kohli's ability to strategize his runs and swiftly adjust to varying conditions.

He remarked, "He is an exceptional one-day cricketer. He possesses the skill to devise a plan for his runs, whether he is batting first or in pursuit of a target, and he adapts to the conditions with remarkable speed. This adaptability, along with the experience of high-caliber players, is crucial, which is reflected in his impressive record in one-day cricket. I sincerely hope he continues to excel in the future."

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