Kohli couldn’t help but remember his “really good friend” Kane Williamson, who, unfortunately, found himself on the losing end. Kohli and Williamson had been a part of many classic India-New Zealand clashes in ICC events. In the 2019 ODI World Cup semifinal, ICC World Test Championship final in 2021, and during the group stage of the 2021 T20 World Cup, Kohli represented the teams that lost against New Zealand.
Yet, during the 2023 ODI World Cup, India beat New Zealand twice, during the league stage and in the semifinals, before winning the 2025 Champions Trophy final against them.
“Sad to see a very good friend of mine on the losing side but I’ve been on the losing side a couple of times when he’s been on the winning side. Only love between us,” Kohli told the broadcasters.
Kohli also paid rich tribute to New Zealand for their remarkable shows in ICC events, always awing him by their ability to punch above their weight, despite their limited resources.
“Incredible, we’ve always been awed by their punching above the weight with the very few number of players they’ve produced in the years, and maximising their talent to the absolute maximum,” said Kohli.
“Every time you play against them, big game, you know they are going ton with a plan; no other team executes their plans like them. Every fielder is aware to a certain degree where the bowler is going to pitch, and you can, you can feel that when they attack the ball.”
New Zealand beat South Africa in the semifinal, with their only defeat during the group stages against India.
“Big up to them. They have been one of the most consistent teams over the years when it comes to big tournaments, and that is primarily because of their huge belief in their own skills and huge amounts of talent they have to back it up. In terms of fielding abilities, they are what any other team aspires to be. Big up to them. They continue to show why they are among the top teams in the world. Another great campaign,” Kohli exclaimed.
