Group A match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, India secured a decisive six-wicket victory over arch-rivals Pakistan at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The triumph was orchestrated by Virat Kohli's masterful unbeaten century, his 51st in One Day Internationals (ODIs), which also saw him surpass the 14,000-run milestone in the format.
Opting to bat first after winning the toss, Pakistan posted a total of 241 runs before being bowled out with two deliveries remaining. The innings was anchored by Saud Shakeel, who contributed a solid 62 runs, and Mohammad Rizwan, who added 46. After early setbacks, the duo stabilized the innings, forging a crucial 104-run partnership. However, India's bowlers, led by Kuldeep Yadav's impressive 3-40 and Hardik Pandya's 2-31, managed to contain the Pakistani batsmen effectively, preventing them from accelerating in the latter stages.
Chasing a target of 242, India faced an early hiccup with the dismissal of captain Rohit Sharma for 20, courtesy of a precise yorker from Shaheen Afridi. Shubman Gill then steadied the innings with a composed 46, forming a vital partnership with Kohli. Shreyas Iyer further bolstered the chase, contributing a valuable 56 runs. Kohli's innings was a blend of patience and aggression, guiding India to victory with 7.3 overs to spare. He sealed the win and his century in style, driving through the covers for a boundary.
Kohli's century not only reinforced his reputation as a chase master but also made him the fastest player to reach 14,000 ODI runs, achieving the feat in fewer innings than legends Sachin Tendulkar and Kumar Sangakkara. This victory propels India to the top of Group A with two consecutive wins, virtually assuring them a spot in the semi-finals. Conversely, Pakistan's second successive defeat leaves their title defense in jeopardy, with their progression now dependent on other results.
Reflecting on the match, India’s captain Rohit Sharma lauded the bowling unit for restricting Pakistan to a manageable total and praised Kohli's exceptional innings. Kohli, expressing satisfaction with his performance, emphasized the importance of his role in anchoring the chase and managing the middle overs effectively.
