India showcased a commanding performance in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, securing a comprehensive six-wicket victory over arch-rivals Pakistan at the Dubai International Stadium. Virat Kohli was the star of the night, delivering a batting masterclass to guide India to a crucial win. His unbeaten century (100* off 111 balls) not only sealed India’s second consecutive triumph in the tournament but also pushed them closer to the semi-finals.
Winning the toss, Pakistan opted to bat first but struggled against a disciplined Indian bowling attack. Babar Azam’s poor run of form continued as he managed just 23 off 26 balls, while Imam-ul-Haq had a forgettable return, getting run out for 10. The innings saw some resistance from Mohammad Rizwan (46 off 77) and Saud Shakeel (62 off 76), who stitched together a 104-run partnership. However, their sluggish scoring rate drew criticism. A late cameo from Khushdil Shah (38 off 39) helped Pakistan reach 241.
India’s bowling attack was in fine form, with Kuldeep Yadav taking three wickets. Hardik Pandya was particularly impressive, dismissing Babar Azam and Saud Shakeel while conceding just 31 runs in eight overs. Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, and Harshit Rana also chipped in with a wicket each.
Chasing 242, India lost captain Rohit Sharma early for 20, undone by a brilliant delivery from Shaheen Afridi. However, Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill (46 off 52) steadied the innings with a crucial 71-run stand. After Gill’s dismissal, Kohli found support in Shreyas Iyer, who contributed a composed 56 off 67 balls. The duo’s 114-run partnership put India in firm control.
Kohli, showcasing his trademark chasing prowess, reached his 51st ODI century and his 82nd international ton in style, sealing India’s victory with 45 balls to spare. His knock ensured India’s dominance over Pakistan continued, all but ending the defending champions’ campaign in the tournament.
