Dubai: India showcased their dominance with a resounding six-wicket victory over Pakistan in the Champions Trophy 2025. A brilliant century from Virat Kohli and disciplined bowling helped India chase down a 242-run target with ease at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday.
Kohli’s Brilliance Seals the Win
India comfortably reached the target with 45 balls to spare, losing just four wickets in the process. The team got off to a strong start, amassing 64 runs in the powerplay despite an early setback.
Rohit Sharma, looking dangerous, smashed three fours and a six before being clean-bowled by Shaheen Shah Afridi for 20 off 15 balls. With India at 31/1 in five overs, Virat Kohli joined Shubman Gill to stabilize the innings.
Pakistan’s fielding woes proved costly as both Kohli and Gill were dropped in successive deliveries. The duo capitalized on these mistakes, adding 69 runs for the second wicket.
India had already crossed the 100-run mark when Abrar Ahmed provided a much-needed breakthrough, dismissing Gill with a perfect carrom ball. Gill scored 46 off 52 balls, hitting seven boundaries before falling in the 18th over.
Iyer and Kohli Take Charge
Shreyas Iyer then joined Kohli at the crease, and the pair dominated Pakistan’s bowling attack. Kohli, who reached 14,000 ODI runs in the match, looked unstoppable as he built a solid partnership with Iyer.
Pakistan’s fielding continued to falter as Saud Shakeel dropped Iyer at short mid-wicket, allowing the batsman to make Pakistan pay. Kohli and Iyer’s 114-run partnership for the third wicket put India in total control of the match.
Despite picking up two quick wickets late in the innings, Pakistan had already lost the game. Iyer was dismissed for 56, smashing seven fours and a six, while Hardik Pandya managed just 8 before being removed by Khushdil Shah. Kohli, however, stood firm and remained unbeaten on 100, hitting seven boundaries to steer India to victory.
Shaheen Shah Afridi took two wickets but was expensive, conceding 74 runs in 8 overs. Abrar Ahmed was the pick of Pakistan’s bowlers, finishing with 1/28 in his 10 overs, while Khushdil Shah grabbed one wicket for 43 runs.
Pakistan’s Struggles with the Bat
Earlier, Pakistan managed 241 runs after batting first, with Saud Shakeel’s fifty being the only highlight. The team got off to a steady start as Babar Azam and Imam-ul-Haq put on 41 runs for the opening stand in 8.1 overs.
However, India struck back as Hardik Pandya dismissed Babar for 23 off 26 balls with a sharp edge to the wicketkeeper. Just an over later, Axar Patel produced a brilliant direct hit to run out Imam for 10 off 26 balls, leaving Pakistan at 47/2 in 9.2 overs.
From there, Pakistan struggled to build momentum as India’s bowlers kept them in check. Despite Saud Shakeel’s gritty knock, Pakistan’s total proved insufficient against India’s formidable batting lineup.
India’s Dominance Continues
With this commanding win, India sent a strong message to their rivals and bolstered their chances in the Champions Trophy. Virat Kohli’s masterclass and India’s clinical performance reaffirmed their status as top contenders in the tournament.
As Pakistan looks to bounce back, India celebrates a convincing victory that will be remembered for Kohli’s brilliance and Pakistan’s missed opportunities on the field.
