Kohli’s Chase Masterclass Lights Up Dubai: India Storms Past Pakistan in Champions Trophy Thriller
The Dubai International Stadium turned into a cauldron of cheers on Sunday as Virat Kohli unleashed a breathtaking unbeaten century, steering India to a commanding six-wicket victory over Pakistan in a pulsating Champions Trophy 2025 showdown. With this triumph, India tightened their grip on a semi-final berth, while Pakistan’s hopes of defending their title teetered on the edge of collapse.
The clash, drenched in the fervor of one of cricket’s fiercest rivalries, saw Pakistan take the crease first after winning the toss. They stitched together a respectable 241, leaning on gritty knocks from their middle order. But it was India’s bowling spearhead, Kuldeep Yadav, who tilted the scales with a mesmerizing spell of 3/40, slicing through Pakistan’s lineup like a hot knife through butter. His guile left the opposition scrambling, setting the stage for India’s batsmen to take charge.
Enter Kohli—calm, composed, and relentless. Chasing 242, India lost early wickets, but the former captain stood tall, weaving a tapestry of precision and power. His unbeaten 100, a milestone 51st ODI ton, was a symphony of classic strokes, punctuated by seven boundaries. Alongside him, Shreyas Iyer (56) and Shubman Gill (46) played vital cameos, their partnerships snuffing out any flicker of Pakistani resistance. With 7.3 overs still in the bank, India crossed the finish line, leaving the crowd roaring and Pakistan stunned.
This wasn’t just a win—it was a statement. India’s chase was a masterclass in control, wrapping up with 45 balls to spare. Kohli, who also crossed 14,000 ODI runs in the process, became the fastest Indian to reach the landmark, etching yet another chapter in his storied career. “It’s about staying in the moment and building the chase brick by brick,” Kohli said post-match, his eyes gleaming with quiet satisfaction.
For Pakistan, the defeat stings deep. Their batting, despite flashes of promise, couldn’t muster the firepower to challenge India’s juggernaut. With two losses in the tournament already, their semi-final dreams now hang by a thread, reliant on improbable permutations. The Dubai night ended with their fans in stunned silence, while India’s supporters painted the stands blue.
As the dust settles, India’s unbeaten run against Pakistan in ODIs since the 2017 Champions Trophy final remains intact. With this victory, they sit pretty atop Group A, their semi-final ticket all but stamped. For Kohli and his men, the focus now shifts to maintaining this red-hot form. For Pakistan, it’s a desperate race against time—and fate—to salvage their campaign.
Stay tuned as the Champions Trophy 2025 unfolds—this rivalry, it seems, still has plenty of fire left to burn.
Match overview
Pakistan, opting to bat first, posted a total of 241 runs before being bowled out in 49.4 overs. Saud Shakeel top-scored with 62, while Mohammad Rizwan contributed 46 runs. India’s bowling attack was spearheaded by Kuldeep Yadav, who claimed three wickets for 40 runs, and Hardik Pandya, who took two crucial wickets for 31 runs
In response, India chased down the target in 42.3 overs, finishing at 244 for 4. Kohli’s unbeaten 100 off 111 balls was the cornerstone of the innings, with Shreyas Iyer adding a valuable 56 runs. This victory propels India closer to a semi-final berth, while Pakistan faces a precarious position in the tournament
Key Performances
Virat Kohli: Achieved his 51st ODI century and became the fastest player to reach 14,000 ODI runs, surpassing legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Kumar Sangakkara.
Kuldeep Yadav: His left-arm wrist spin proved pivotal, dismantling Pakistan’s middle and lower order with figures of 3 for 40
Hardik Pandya: Demonstrated his all-round capabilities by taking key wickets and maintaining an economical bowling spell.
Implications for the Tournament
This win solidifies India’s position at the top of Group A with two consecutive victories, virtually ensuring their spot in the semi-finals. Conversely, Pakistan’s path to the next stage becomes challenging, as they now rely on other match outcomes to advance
Looking Ahead
India’s next fixture is against New Zealand on March 2 in Dubai, where they will aim to maintain their winning momentum. Pakistan, on the other hand, faces Bangladesh on February 27 in Rawalpindi, a must-win match to keep their tournament hopes alive.
