IND vs PAK, Champions Trophy 2025: Kohli's Century Leads India to 6-Wicket Win Over Pakistan

Photo : AFP

Virat Kohli was the star of the match as India defeated Pakistan by six wickets in their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Group A clash at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday. His unbeaten century not only helped India chase down the target but also saw him achieve two major records in ODI cricket.

India's strong performance
India won the match after restricting Pakistan to 241 runs in 49.4 overs and successfully chasing the target in 42.3 overs. Kohli, leading the batting charge, remained not out on 100 off 111 balls. His innings ensured that India secured their second win in the tournament and moved to the top of the Group A standings.

Before the chase, the Indian bowlers had put up an impressive performance to bowl Pakistan out for a modest total. Kuldeep Yadav took three wickets for 43 runs, while Hardik Pandya chipped in with two wickets for 31 runs.

India's unlucky toss streak continues
The match began with India losing the toss for the 12th consecutive time in ODI cricket, setting an unwanted record for the most toss losses in a row by any team in the format. Despite this, the Men in Blue made sure they dominated the game.

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Kohli’s record-breaking night
It was a special match for Virat Kohli, who not only led India to victory but also achieved multiple personal milestones.

With a catch in the 47th over to dismiss Naseem Shah, Kohli overtook Mohammad Azharuddin's record of 156 catches, becoming the Indian fielder with the most catches in ODI history.

While batting, he became the fastest cricketer to reach 14,000 ODI runs, breaking the previous record held by legendary batsman Sachin Tendulkar. Kohli achieved this milestone in 63 fewer innings than Tendulkar.

Match summary
Pakistan started their innings on a positive note, with captain Babar Azam scoring a fluent 23 before Hardik Pandya dismissed him in the ninth over. Imam-ul-Haq was run out soon after due to a brilliant throw by Axar Patel, leaving Pakistan at 47/2.

Mohammad Rizwan (46 off 77) and Saud Shakeel (62 off 76) steadied the innings with a 104-run partnership, taking Pakistan to 150/2 by the 33rd over. However, India struck back quickly, taking three wickets within four overs to reduce Pakistan to 167/5.

Khushdil Shah (38 off 39) played a useful knock towards the end, but wickets kept falling at regular intervals. Eventually, Pakistan was bowled out for 241 in the final over.

India’s chase led by Kohli
Chasing 242, India got off to a quick start with Rohit Sharma scoring 20 off 15 balls before being dismissed by Shaheen Afridi in the sixth over. Shubman Gill (46 off 52) kept the momentum going, but his wicket in the 18th over left India at 90/2.

Shreyas Iyer then joined Kohli at the crease, and the duo stitched together a 114-run partnership, taking India closer to victory. Iyer made a well-compiled 56 off 67 balls before getting out. Hardik Pandya fell soon after, but by then, India was within touching distance of the win.

Kohli fittingly finished the game in style, hitting a boundary to bring up his 51st ODI century and sealing the victory for India.

What’s next?
With this win, India moved to the top of Group A with four points and a net run rate of 0.647. New Zealand, who won their opening match against Pakistan, are in second place with two points and a superior net run rate of 1.200.

India’s next match in the Champions Trophy 2025 will be against New Zealand at the same venue next Sunday.

Brief Scores:
Pakistan: 241/10 in 49.4 overs (Saud Shakeel 62, Mohammad Rizwan 46, Kuldeep Yadav 3/43, Hardik Pandya 2/31)
India: 244/4 in 42.3 overs (Virat Kohli 100*, Shreyas Iyer 56, Shaheen Afridi 2/74)

India won by six wickets.

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