NEW DELHI: In a thrilling encounter, highlighted by Kohliโs spectacular ton, India clinched a commanding six-wicket victory over arch-rivals Pakistan at the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, asserting their dominance once again.
The game, held at the Dubai International Stadium, showcased Pakistanโs incapacity to establish partnerships and Indiaโs formidable bowling attack.
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Indian Bowling: Precision and Pressure
Indiaโs bowlers set the tone early, applying relentless pressure on Pakistanโs batting lineup. Hardik Pandya and Kuldeep Yadav were the standout performers, with Pandya recording exceptional figures of 2/31 and Kuldeep taking 3/40.
Pakistanโs batsmen struggled to find any rhythm, with Babar Azam and Imam-ul-Haq falling early. Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan attempted to stabilize the innings with a 104-run partnership, but their efforts fell short as they failed to accelerate the scoring.
Pakistanโs inability to build meaningful partnerships was evident throughout their innings. After the departure of Shakeel and Rizwan, the middle and lower order crumbled under the pressure applied by Indiaโs bowlers. The lack of finishers and the disciplined Indian bowling attack restricted Pakistan to a modest total of 241.
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Indiaโs Batting Depth and Temperament
Chasing 242, India got off to a shaky start with the early dismissal of Rohit Sharma. However, Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli steadied the ship with a crucial partnership. Kohliโs unbeaten 100 off 111 balls was a testament to his class and determination.
Shreyas Iyerโs composed 56 and Gillโs solid 46 provided perfect support for Kohli. The ability of Indiaโs middle order to absorb pressure and accelerate when needed was crucial in their successful chase. All-rounders like Ravindra Jadeja and Hardik Pandya gave the squad even more solidity. India was able to keep control of the game because of their performances with the bat and the ball.
Kohliโs Dominance: A Century to Remember
India, led by Virat Kohliโs unbeaten 100 off 111 balls, chased down the target in 42.3 overs. Kohli went on to reach multiple milestones on the day. Having been under scrutiny for his recent form, Kohli silenced his critics with a masterful ODI ton after 465 days.
With the catch of Naseem Shah in the 47th over, Virat Kohli surpassed former Indian captain Mohammad Azharuddinโs record of 156 catches, becoming the Indian fielder with the most catches in ODI cricket.
While batting, Kohli achieved another milestone, becoming the fastest batter to reach 14,000 ODI runs. He reached the mark in 63 innings fewer than the previous record holder, Sachin Tendulkar.
Kohliโs innings was not without drama. Pakistanโs Shaheen Afridi attempted to deny Kohli his century by bowling wides, but Kohli remained composed. He reached his 51st ODI century with a boundary off Khushdil Shah, sealing Indiaโs victory in style.
Indiaโs victory
Indiaโs victory over Pakistan in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 was a showcase of their all-round prowess. The disciplined bowling attack, led by Pandya and Kuldeep, stifled Pakistanโs batting efforts. Kohliโs return to form with a century and the depth of Indiaโs batting lineup highlighted their superiority. As India advances to the semifinals, their victory over Pakistan serves as a reminder of their fortitude and ability to bounce back under pressure.
This win placed India on top of the Group A table with four points and a net run rate (NRR) of 0.647. India will face New Zealand in their next Champions Trophy 2025 clash at the same venue next Sunday.
