Dubai: Recently, when Virat Kohli and Kane Williamson meet, they often take the opportunity to discuss family, life, and their sport amidst their cricket commitments. This exchange is likely to occur again as they prepare for the Champions Trophy final in Dubai on Sunday.

Whether during their conversations prior to the inaugural World Test Championship final or their heartfelt embrace afterward, such interactions are what players miss once their careers conclude.

Kohli has remarked on their connection, stating, “We share very similar mindsets and philosophies. He’s a genuinely nice person, and we have developed a good rapport over the years. It’s remarkable to realize that despite being in different parts of the world, we are aligned in our thoughts, communicating in the same manner, and progressing in a similar direction.”

Athletes in their mid-30s are acutely aware that each major tournament could potentially be their last. These generational talents, who have consistently excelled in batting, are now approaching the latter stages of their careers. Just recently, Steve Smith announced his retirement from ODI cricket, hinting to Kohli at the end of the semi-final before Cricket Australia made the official announcement the following day.

Kohli stood alongside Smith, encouraging the predominantly Indian audience at the Oval during the 2019 World Cup not to mock the former Australian captain for his past errors. The camaraderie and mutual respect between Kohli and Williamson are similarly evident.

By the time the next Champions Trophy is held, Kohli will be 40 and Williamson will be 38. The next ODI World Cup is still two years away. While predicting the end of an elite athlete's career is challenging, maintaining a position at the top is undeniably demanding.

When they reunite, their conversation may turn to their formative years. Williamson will undoubtedly recall, as will Kohli, the moment when the medium pacer, caught off guard, managed to stump him during the U19 World Cup semi-final seventeen years ago.

At that time, both were captaining their respective teams. Talent scouts often recognize that above-average age-group cricketers possess the qualities necessary to become effective leaders.

Williamson guided New Zealand to the World Test Championship final in 2021, while Kohli was a key member of India's victorious T20 World Cup team in 2024. Interestingly, neither has secured an ODI title recently, despite the format being well-suited to their skills. Kohli had previously claimed two ICC titles early in his career—the 2011 ODI World Cup and the 2013 Champions Trophy—while Williamson narrowly missed out on the 2019 ODI World Cup.

Both players enter the final following impressive performances. Williamson scored a century in the semi-final against South Africa and an 81 against India prior to that. Kohli's 84 was crucial in India's semi-final victory over Australia, and he recently achieved an unbeaten century against Pakistan.

Throughout this tournament, Kohli and Williamson have maintained comparable scoring rates (83.1 versus 85.9), yet Kohli has accumulated his runs with a more cautious approach. Williamson, on the other hand, has incorporated various scoop shots into his game, particularly against South Africa, a skill that has evolved as T20 cricket has gained prominence, thereby enhancing his performance in limited-overs formats.

Kohli's consistency can be attributed to the caliber of batsmen surrounding him. Shubman Gill bats ahead of him, while Shreyas Iyer follows. Both have been in excellent form, with Iyer effectively dominating spinners during the middle overs, allowing Kohli to focus on his reliable singles and twos. Notably, he has emerged as India's leading run-scorer in the tournament without hitting a single six.

Kohli has accumulated an equal number of runs against both pace and spin bowlers, although he tends to employ more aggressive shots primarily against pace. "The conditions dictate the approach; the pitch guides me on how to play, and I simply adapt my strategy accordingly," he remarked.

Kohli's greatest strength lies in his ability to withstand pressure. While lesser players may falter when the required run rate increases and victory seems distant, Kohli remains composed during a run chase. His self-awareness in assessing risks, his willingness to set aside ego to allow a partner to flourish, and his calm demeanor have become intrinsic to his game.

“When a batsman takes pride in finding singles in the gaps, that’s when you realize you’re playing well, and it signals the potential for a significant partnership. It helps to ease the nerves and move towards achieving the target,” Kohli commented following the semi-final.

Williamson would likely benefit from adopting some of Kohli’s strategies during a run chase. If the New Zealand captain were to approach chasing the Indian total again, as he did last week, he would aim to minimize dot balls. He would also likely prefer to have aggressive players like Daryl Mitchell support him in attacking India from the outset. Williamson and his team now have a second opportunity to rectify their previous performance.

“Whether it’s my last match or not, it would certainly be enjoyable, wouldn’t it? It’s a final, and that brings excitement,” Williamson stated. Kohli would likely share a similar mindset.

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