Virat Kohli Breaks Mohammad Azharuddin ODI Catching Record for Champions Trophy 2025.

A cricket landmark in history was achieved with Virat Kohli, one of the leading stars representing the nation of India, tying an Indian ODI fielding record kept by India's former captain Mohammad Azharuddin, who has been unbeaten for the past 30 years. Kohli’s exceptional fielding skills came to the fore during India’s Champions Trophy 2025 opener against Bangladesh in Dubai, where he grabbed two crucial catches, bringing his tally to 156 ODI catches—the joint-most by an Indian fielder in One Day Internationals (ODIs). This achievement, reserved for Azharuddin alone, now belongs to Kohli who reached the milestone in 298 matches, 36 fewer than the record of Azharuddin, who reached it in 334 ODIs.

A Record Field Moment Breaking

Virat Kohli, in his capable and swift way, gave a demonstration of his class in the field during his encounter against Bangladesh. The first of the glories arrived in the contest very early in the second over itself when Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto attempted to play an aggressive cover off Harshit Rana's well-flighted full delivery. But he was not able to keep the ball on the deck, and Kohli at short cover showed his athleticism by going up in the air and grabbing the ball comfortably above his head.

The second chance came much later in the match, in the 43rd over, when Bangladesh's Jaker Ali was the victim of a clever delivery from Mohammed Shami. To clear the ropes, Jaker underestimated his shot and hit the ball straight up in the air. Kohli, having his eyes on the ball took his time and placed himself perfectly to finish the catch, equaling the record of 156 ODI catches to be held by Azharuddin.

The Top Indian ODI Catchers

Although Kohli and Azharuddin own current top honors for Indian fielder who has taken the most catches in ODIs, close to their heels are some of India's all-time greatest. Cricketing great Sachin Tendulkar takes the third position with 140 catches, and reliable Rahul Dravid is at fourth place with 124 catches. Suresh Raina, who was notorious for his incredible fielding, is in fifth place with 102 catches.

However, Kohli has an imminent opportunity to surpass Azharuddin and establish himself as India’s most successful fielder in ODIs. With multiple matches ahead in the Champions Trophy, the prospect of him standing alone at the top of this elite list seems highly probable.

Shami’s Bowling Heroics Complement Kohli’s Feat

While Kohli’s fielding record took center stage, Mohammed Shami made headlines with his phenomenal bowling performance. Shami became only the tenth Indian bowler to achieve the milestone of 200 ODI wickets. He bowled with precision and intensity, finishing with incredible figures of 5/53 in his 10-over spell. His scalps included key Bangladeshi batsmen Soumya Sarkar, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Jaker Ali, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, and Taskin Ahmed, further strengthening India’s dominance in the match.

Shami’s spell not only ensured that Bangladesh struggled to build a competitive total but also reinforced his position as one of India’s most impactful fast bowlers in recent years. His adherence to the ball and his capability to perform in key moments have made him a real asset to the Indian unit.

Kohli’s Legacy as a Complete Cricketer

Although Virat Kohli is mostly renowned for his outstanding batting and leadership accomplishments, his contribution to fielding receives insufficient attention. Kohli’s commitment to fitness and agility has made him one of the most reliable fielders in world cricket. Whether on the inner circle or patrolling the deep, he has always demonstrated an extraordinary ability at athletics, converting 50-50 plays into knockouts and imposing high standards for the rest of his team.

His great capacity for making difficult catches as well as sustaining high levels of energy on the pitch is a clear indication of the fire that burns in his heart. Kohli’s fielding skills, combined with his batting prowess, make him one of the most complete cricketers the sport has ever seen.

What’s Next for Kohli and Team India?

With the 2025 Champions Trophy still to begin, Kohli would be looking to carry his run of dominance, both with the bat and in the field. The Indian squad, led by a mix of experienced and inexperienced players, would like to make a thunderous statement at the tournament. With the tournament under way, Kohli would not only be hoping to break Azharuddin's record but also lead India to another giant ICC title.

There is even more reason for hype for the Champions Trophy 2025 with Kohli's remarkable record. As there will be more matches to come, spectators will be keen to follow and see whether he consolidates his legacy by finally becoming the undisputed ODI catches champion for India. Considering his work ethic, and that he is very focused now, the time is not far off when he’ll take the record for certain.

Meanwhile, while India progresses on the way to the Champions Trophy, there is one guaranteed fact- Virat Kohli continues to rewrite history books, as well as to achieve new records for Indian cricket.