Daijiworld Media Network

Dubai, Feb 23: Virat Kohli returned to his vintage form with a superb unbeaten century, guiding India to a comprehensive six-wicket victory over Pakistan in their crucial 2025 Champions Trophy Group A clash at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday. This vital win puts India closer to securing a semi-finals spot in the competition.

India, who came into the game as the favourites, were at their clinical best with the ball, dismissing Pakistan for a modest total of 241 in 49.4 overs. Kuldeep Yadav was the pick of the bowlers, taking 3-40, while Hardik Pandya also impressed with 2-31.

The Pakistani batting line-up, on a slow pitch, struggled to score freely, and despite a solid 104-run partnership between Saud Shakeel (62) and Mohammad Rizwan (46), the rest of the batting order faltered under pressure. The pair’s steady stand was the only significant contribution to Pakistan’s total, and from a promising position at 151-2, Pakistan were eventually bowled out for 241, just nine runs short of the 250 mark.

In reply, India had no issues chasing down the target, led by the brilliance of Kohli, who remained unbeaten on 100* off 111 balls. His century, which was his 51st in ODIs, came at a crucial time when India needed a steady hand. Kohli shared a 114-run partnership with Shreyas Iyer, who played a vital knock of 56 off 67 balls, ensuring India reached the target comfortably with 45 balls to spare.

India’s chase began with Rohit Sharma, who looked in solid touch early on, scoring a four off Naseem Shah and following it with a trademark six. This six saw him pass 9,000 runs as an opener in ODIs, becoming the sixth player to do so. However, Pakistan struck early when Shaheen Shah Afridi dismissed Rohit for just 12 with a well-executed inswinging yorker, leaving India at 20-1.

Shubman Gill, however, continued to play with intent, smashing five boundaries off Shaheen and reaching 35 off 25 balls by the end of the power-play. But he was dismissed for 46 when Abrar Ahmed’s carrom ball beat him, leaving India at 91-2. Kohli and Iyer then took charge of the chase. Kohli, after crossing 14,000 ODI runs, played some exquisite shots, including seven boundaries, while Iyer, who had been slow to start, upped the tempo, smashing Khushdil Shah for two back-to-back fours. He also celebrated his fifty with a six over mid-wicket off Salman Ali Agha.

The pair took India closer to victory, but Iyer’s promising knock was cut short as he was dismissed for 56, caught at extra cover. Hardik Pandya was promoted to finish the game quickly but fell for a single after pulling a bouncer from Shaheen to wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan.

With just 12 runs needed for the win, there was some tension regarding whether Kohli would get his century, but the India captain ended all such doubts by striking a delightful cover drive to reach his milestone and guide India over the line. He celebrated his ton with a raised bat, soaking in the applause as India reached the target with ease.

Earlier in the day, India’s bowlers had put in a disciplined effort. Despite an uncharacteristic start from Mohammed Shami, who bowled a wayward first over and then experienced issues with his right shin, Hardik Pandya provided India with the breakthrough, dismissing Pakistan’s skipper Babar Azam for just 7. Imam-ul-Haq, playing his first ODI since the 2023 World Cup, struggled to get going and was run out for 10 following a direct hit from Axar Patel. Shami, who returned to bowl with renewed focus, kept Pakistan under pressure as India squeezed the scoring rate between overs 11-20, conceding just 27 runs.

Pakistan’s top order looked promising for a while, as Rizwan and Shakeel attempted to accelerate the innings. Rizwan hit a sweep shot for four, while Shakeel’s reverse-sweep brought him two boundaries. Shakeel’s half-century (69 balls) kept Pakistan’s hopes alive, but India’s bowlers continued to apply pressure, missing a couple of chances. Kuldeep Yadav dropped Shakeel on the boundary, but the bowler later made amends by removing Shakeel for 62, courtesy of a fine catch at deep mid-wicket by Pandya.

Pakistan lost wickets in quick succession after that, and despite some late hitting from Khushdil Shah and Haris Rauf, the target set by Pakistan proved inadequate. Kuldeep cleaned up the tail, and Pakistan were bowled out for 241.

India, in their chase, were in no real danger once Kohli and Iyer took charge. Their steady partnership and India’s overall clinical performance ensured a comprehensive win. Kohli’s leadership with the bat once again proved to be the difference as India romped to a six-wicket victory with plenty of time to spare.

Brief Scores:
Pakistan 241 in 49.4 overs (Saud Shakeel 62, Mohammad Rizwan 46; Kuldeep Yadav 3-40, Hardik Pandya 2-31)
India 244/4 in 42.3 overs (Virat Kohli 100*; Shaheen Shah Afridi 2-74)
India won by six wickets.