NEW DELHI: Indian batting stalwart Virat Kohli delivered a masterclass — powered by a century — as India crushed Pakistan in a one-sided ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Group A clash at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
Chasing a modest target of 242, India eased to victory with six wickets in hand.
Opting to bat first, Pakistan got off to a shaky start as Babar Azam (23) edged Hardik Pandya to KL Rahul in the ninth over.
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Imam-ul-Haq (10) was run out soon after, leaving Pakistan struggling at 47/2. A resilient 104-run stand between Saud Shakeel (62) and skipper Mohammad Rizwan (46) stabilised the innings, but India’s bowlers struck back strongly.
Axar Patel removed Rizwan in the 35th over, and Shakeel followed soon after, falling to Hardik Pandya. Wickets continued to tumble as Tayyab Tahir (4), Salman Agha (19), and Shaheen Afridi (0) departed cheaply, leaving Pakistan at 200/7 in the 43rd over.
A late fightback from Khushdil Shah (38) pushed the total to 241, but it was never enough against India’s dominant batting lineup.
Kuldeep Yadav (3/40) was the pick of the Indian bowlers, while Pandya (2/31), Axar Patel, and Ravindra Jadeja made crucial breakthroughs to restrict Pakistan.
India’s chase began on a solid note, with captain Rohit Sharma (20) providing a brisk start before being dismissed by Shaheen Afridi.
Shubman Gill anchored the innings with a well-crafted 46 before falling to Abrar Ahmed.
However, it was Virat Kohli’s sublime knock of 100 not out that stole the show.
Displaying impeccable timing and composure, Kohli ensured India never lost control of the chase. He found an able partner in Shreyas Iyer (56), who played an attacking knock before falling to Khushdil Shah.
Hardik Pandya’s quick cameo (8) ended with Rizwan taking a sharp catch off Shaheen Afridi, but Kohli remained unbeaten, guiding India home comfortably.
Axar Patel (3 not out) was at the other end as Kohli wrapped up the chase with a boundary to complete his deserving century against the arch-rivals.
With this emphatic victory, India have put one foot in the tournament’s semi-finals, further asserting their dominance in the competition.
