IND vs PAK, Champions Trophy 2025: Virat Kohli Powers India To 6-Wicket Victory Over Pakistan With 82nd Century

IND vs PAK: Virat Kohli delivered yet another masterclass in ODI cricket, scoring his 51st century overall 82nd to lead India to a comfortable victory over Pakistan in their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 clash at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday.

This defeat leaves Pakistan on the verge of elimination, as their fate now hinges on Bangladesh defeating New Zealand on Monday. Additionally, they must secure a win against Bangladesh in their final group match, with net run rate likely playing a crucial role in determining their qualification.

Kohli, looking in sublime touch, reached his hundred in 111 balls, peppering his innings with seven boundaries. He was well-supported by Shreyas Iyer, who registered a half-century off 63 deliveries. Iyer started his innings cautiously but accelerated at the right time to complement Kohli's knock.

Kohli Becomes Fastest to 14,000 ODI Runs

Earlier in the match, Kohli also etched his name in the record books by becoming the fastest batter to amass 14,000 runs in ODI cricket. The 36-year-old surpassed the previous record held by Sachin Tendulkar, who took 350 innings to reach the milestone. Kohli, in contrast, accomplished the feat in just 287 innings, reinforcing his dominance in the format.

Kohli achieved the landmark when he reached 15 runs during India's chase. He is now only the third player in history to reach the 14,000-run milestone, joining Tendulkar and Sri Lanka's Kumar Sangakkara, who achieved the feat in 378 innings in 2015. Notably, Kohli needed just 10 innings to move from 13,000 to 14,000 runs, having reached the 13,000-run mark against Pakistan in the 2023 Asia Cup in Colombo.

Pakistan's Struggles with the Bat

Earlier in the match, Pakistan struggled to build momentum with the bat, managing only 241 runs before being bowled out. Saud Shakeel top-scored with a well-compiled 62 off 76 balls, while captain Mohammad Rizwan contributed a slow-paced 46 from 77 deliveries. The duo stitched together a 104-run partnership for the third wicket but failed to accelerate when required.

Khushdil Shah provided some late resistance with a 39-ball 38, helping Pakistan recover slightly after slumping to 165/5 in the 37th over. However, India's bowlers ensured that Pakistan never gained control of the innings.

Kuldeep, Hardik Shine with the Ball

India's bowling attack put in a disciplined performance, with left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav being the standout performer. He returned figures of 3/40, dismantling Pakistan's middle order. Hardik Pandya also made a significant impact, removing both Babar Azam (23) and Shakeel, finishing with figures of 2/31.

With this commanding win, India further strengthened their position in the tournament, while Pakistan now face an uphill battle to keep their Champions Trophy campaign alive.