Dubai: India’s thrilling victory over Australia in the Champions Trophy semi-finals on March 4, 2025, has flipped the script for Anushka Sharma, with netizens now retracting years of trolling. Virat Kohli, named Player of the Match for his match-defining 84 runs, not only led India to the final but also shattered Sachin Tendulkar’s record for the most ODI half-centuries. As celebrations erupted, fans turned their focus to Anushka, who watched from the stands, hailing her as a source of strength rather than a scapegoat.
Kohli’s Triumph Rewrites the Narrative
The semi-final clash at Dubai International Stadium saw India chase down Australia’s 264, with Kohli anchoring the innings. His 84 off 98 balls, paired with contributions from KL Rahul (42*) and Hardik Pandya (28), secured a four-wicket win with 11 balls to spare. This performance came days after a lackluster 11-run outing against New Zealand, where Anushka’s presence had reignited old criticisms. A decade ago, after India’s 2015 World Cup semi-final loss to Australia, she faced similar blame—some even burned her effigies. Tuesday’s triumph, however, has prompted a reckoning online.
Fans flooded social media with apologies and praise. One wrote, “10 years ago, Virat didn’t score in the semis, and people trolled Anushka. Now, she was in the stands, and he won India the match against Australia. Life’s full circle.” Another quipped, “Everyone say thank you, Anushka—her presence helped Virat break Sachin’s record!” The shift marks a stark contrast to the misogynistic backlash she endured in the past.
From Criticism to Redemption
Anushka, a Bollywood actor and Kohli’s wife since 2017, has long been a lightning rod for fans linking her presence to his performance. After the New Zealand game, trolls resurfaced, but the semi-final victory silenced them. “To the men saying Virat underperforms when Anushka’s there, you’re just jealous he’s married to her,” one user fired back. Another added, “Women hating on her need to do better—tearing her down isn’t a win.”
The turnaround echoes Kohli’s own words. He has consistently credited Anushka as his pillar of support, often thanking her post-match. Reflecting on past criticism, a fan recalled, “In 2015, she was a ‘distraction’ for supporting her then-boyfriend. Today, her husband’s 84 won us the game. Karma’s real.”
A Record-Breaking Night
Kohli’s knock wasn’t just about redemption—it was historic. Surpassing Tendulkar’s 49 ODI fifties, he now holds the record with 50, cementing his status as one of cricket’s all-time greats. India’s bowling attack, led by Mohammed Shami (3/48), had earlier restricted Australia to 264, with Steve Smith’s 73 the standout effort. The win sets up a final showdown, with the opponent to be decided between South Africa and New Zealand.
For now, the narrative has shifted. Anushka, once vilified, is being celebrated alongside Kohli’s brilliance. As one fan put it, “We won because her husband stepped up. Life comes full circle.”