In a thrilling encounter at the Dubai International Stadium, Virat Kohli delivered a masterclass, smashing a record-breaking unbeaten century to lead India to a commanding six-wicket victory over Pakistan in the Champions Trophy 2025. The win not only solidified India’s position at the top of Group A with four points but also virtually guaranteed their place in the semifinals. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s hopes of advancing took a severe hit after their second consecutive defeat.
Chasing a competitive target of 242, India’s chase was anchored by Kohli’s 51st ODI century, a magnificent 100* off 111 balls. This innings also marked a historic milestone as Kohli became the fastest batter to reach 14,000 ODI runs, further cementing his legacy as one of the greatest players in the modern era. His knock, laced with seven exquisite boundaries, dismantled Pakistan’s bowling attack, which struggled to maintain pressure despite early breakthroughs.
Kohli was ably supported by Shreyas Iyer’s composed 56 (67 balls) and Shubman Gill’s fluent 46 (52 balls). The Men in Blue comfortably sealed the victory with more than seven overs to spare, leaving Pakistan’s bowlers searching for answers.
Kohli’s Record-Breaking Feat
Virat Kohli’s century was not just a match-winning effort but also a historic one. During his innings, he surpassed 14,000 ODI runs in just 277 innings, breaking the previous record held by Sachin Tendulkar, who achieved the milestone in 321 innings. This remarkable achievement added another feather to Kohli’s already illustrious cap, reaffirming his status as one of the most consistent and prolific run-scorers in ODI history.
Kohli, who had been struggling for form recently, chose the perfect stage to rediscover his rhythm. His innings was a blend of patience and aggression, as he smartly rotated the strike and capitalized on loose deliveries. His ability to perform under pressure, especially against Pakistan, once again came to the fore, silencing critics and delighting fans.
We started strong with the ball, knowing that batting under lights would be slightly easier. Our experience helped us chase the target successfully. Credit to Axar, Kuldeep, and Jadeja for their crucial partnership, as well as Rizwan and Shakeel for their fight. It was important to stay in control of the game. Hardik, Shami, and Harshit bowled exceptionally well. This format can be tricky at times, but Axar and Kuldeep stepped up when needed. (On Kohli) He is always passionate about representing the country and giving his best. His commitment over the years is something we all admire. His hamstring is fine at the moment. - Rohit Sharma — India Skipper
Pakistan’s Early Spark Fades
Pakistan’s star pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi provided an early spark by clean-bowling Rohit Sharma (20 off 15) with a fiery yorker. However, Kohli and Iyer steadied the ship with a crucial 114-run partnership for the third wicket. Iyer’s innings was a treat to watch, highlighted by a monstrous 103-meter six off Salman Agha. His dismissal, albeit controversial, came too late to change the course of the match. Imam-ul-Haq’s stunning catch at cover off Khushdil Shah raised eyebrows, as replays suggested the ball might have touched the ground.
Pakistan’s bowlers, including leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed, posed occasional challenges, but Kohli’s smart rotation of strike and calculated aggression ensured India remained in control.
Winning the toss didn’t work in our favor, as their bowlers dominated early on. Saud Shakeel and I tried to take the game deep, but poor shot selection cost us. They kept us under pressure, and when you lose, it means you haven’t performed well in all areas. We tried to fight back with the ball, but Kohli and Gill’s partnership took the game away. Our fielding needs improvement—we made too many mistakes. - Mohammad Rizwan — Pakistan Skipper
Bowlers Set the Stage for India’s Triumph
Earlier, India’s bowlers laid the foundation for victory by restricting Pakistan to 241 all out in 49.4 overs. Kuldeep Yadav was the pick of the bowlers, claiming 3/40, while Hardik Pandya and Axar Patel chipped in with crucial wickets. Pakistan’s innings was built around a 104-run partnership between Saud Shakeel (62 off 76) and Mohammad Rizwan (46). However, their scoring rate remained sluggish, with a 55-ball boundary drought at one stage. The top order failed to capitalize on starts, with Babar Azam (23) and Imam-ul-Haq (10) falling early. Babar’s elegant cover drives hinted at a big innings, but he perished while attempting another drive off Hardik Pandya, edging to KL Rahul behind the stumps. Imam’s run-out, courtesy of a direct hit from Axar Patel, added to Pakistan’s woes.
The middle order crumbled under pressure, with Rizwan and Shakeel falling in quick succession. Kuldeep Yadav then ran through the lower order, dismissing Salman Agha, Shaheen Afridi, and Naseem Shah to tighten India’s grip on the game. A late cameo from Khushdil Shah (38 off 39), including Pakistan’s first six of the innings, pushed the total past 240, but it proved insufficient against a determined Indian batting lineup.
It’s always great to contribute in an important game and help secure qualification. After Rohit got out early, I focused on controlling the middle overs against spinners without taking unnecessary risks. Shreyas’ acceleration at the end and a few boundaries from me helped us build a strong chase. I know my game well, so I focus on ignoring distractions, maintaining energy, and staying mentally strong. Expectations can be overwhelming, but my job is to stay in the present and give my 100% on every ball. Clarity is key—when there’s pace on the ball, you capitalize; otherwise, spinners take control. Shubman played Shaheen well, showing why he’s the world’s №1 batter. We aimed for 60–70 runs in the powerplay to stay ahead, and Shreyas is proving himself at №4, both at home and overseas. (On the upcoming break) At 36, a few days off feel great. Playing at this level requires a lot of effort every game, so I’ll take some time to rest. - Virat Kohli — Player of the Match
Kohli’s Redemption and India’s Dominance
Virat Kohli’s unbeaten century not only sealed India’s victory but also served as a reminder of his ability to rise to the occasion in high-pressure games. With this win, India sent a strong message to their rivals in the tournament, while Pakistan now faces an uphill battle to keep their Champions Trophy hopes alive.
As the action moves forward, all eyes will be on Kohli and Co. as they aim to continue their dominant run in the tournament. Kohli’s record-breaking century has once again highlighted his unmatched consistency and ability to deliver when it matters most, further solidifying his legacy as one of the all-time greats of the game.
