Virat Kohli led India to victory against Pakistan with his match-winning century during the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 clash at the Dubai International Stadium on February 23. India secured their much-anticipated win by six wickets, effectively putting them on the brink of the semifinals and placing Pakistan’s chances of progression in jeopardy.
Batting first after winning the toss, Pakistan put forth a lackluster performance, scoring only 241 runs. The innings saw Saud Shakeel and Muhammad Rizwan top-scoring with 62 and 46 runs, respectively, but the slow pitch offered little assistance, leading to an underwhelming effort. India’s bowlers were relentless, with Kuldeep Yadav standing out, taking 3 wickets for 40 runs. Hardik Pandya also contributed by securing 2 wickets, tightening the screws on the Pakistani batsmen.
On the other hand, India's innings had its own share of drama. Although captain Rohit Sharma was dismissed early, Virat Kohli took charge and steered the ship alongside young Shubman Gill. Kohli found himself partnered with the rising star Shreyas Iyer, and together they formed a match-winning partnership, forging 114 runs without batting any major risk.
After hitting his first boundary, Kohli began to settle, demonstrating his accustomed mastery against Pakistan bowlers. By the time he reached his 100 runs, it was evident he was comfortably back to his best, achieving his 82nd international century and marking his 51st ODI century against the hosts. His century came off 111 balls and included seven glorious boundaries.
The match not only marked another achievement for Kohli as he reached the milestone of 14,000 ODI runs, but it also catalyzed tidal waves of celebration across social media platforms, as fans praised his prowess. Former Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh noted, "Come the hour come the man! King Kohli at his best @imVkohli #goat great 💯..." as he echoed the sentiments of cricket fans everywhere.
Kohli’s successful innings, coupled with Iyer's steadiness and Gill's aggressive start, propelled India past the finish line with 45 balls to spare, resulting in joyous celebrations nationwide. Kohli’s unbeaten century reaffirmed his status as the 'Chase Master,' consistently coming through for his team under pressure.
Post-match, Kohli expressed his joy about his innings, stating, "It feels good to be able to bat like this. My job is to help my team. I'm going to put my 100% in every game." His teammate, captain Rohit Sharma, reiterated Kohli’s sense of responsibility, emphasizing his eternal love for playing for the national team.
Pakistan's batting performance is now under scrutiny, having lost both of their group matches, making their early elimination likely. The once-prominent narrative surrounding Pakistan's cricketing prowess now faces harsh reality checks.
With this emphatic victory over their arch rivals, India has solidified its momentum heading to the semifinals, highlighting Kohli's continuing evolution and dominance within the sport. The cricket fraternity now eagerly anticipates his next feats and potential records as India prepares to face their next opponents.