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India secured a dominant win over Pakistan in the high-voltage ICC Champions Trophy 2025 match, held on Sunday at the Dubai Cricket Stadium. With Virat Kohli leading from the front with a scintillating 100* and Shreyas Iyer contributing a steady 56, India comfortably chased down Pakistan’s modest target of 242 runs with 45 balls to spare. This win not only extended India’s dominance in the tournament but also showcased the brilliance of their top order, especially Kohli, who reached a remarkable milestone during the chase.
Pakistan Sets Modest Target of 242 Runs
Pakistan, opting to bat first, were restricted to a total of 241 runs in their allotted 50 overs. Despite a promising start from the openers, Babar Azam and Imam-ul-Haq, their innings failed to build momentum as they lost wickets at regular intervals. The pair added 41 runs in the first 9.2 overs before Hardik Pandya struck to dismiss Babar Azam for 23. Imam-ul-Haq followed soon after, being run out by Axar Patel for 13.
After the early blows, captain Mohammad Rizwan and Saud Shakeel steadied the innings with a 104-run partnership for the third wicket. Shakeel was the standout performer for Pakistan, scoring a composed 62 off 76 balls, while Rizwan added 46 off 77 balls before being dismissed by Axar Patel.
However, Pakistan’s lower middle order collapsed, with Ravindra Jadeja dismissing Tayyab Tahir for four, and Kuldeep Yadav picking up two quick wickets. Khushdil Shah’s late fight, which saw him score 38 off 39 balls, wasn’t enough as Pakistan was bowled out for 241 runs in the final over. Kuldeep Yadav was the most successful bowler for India with three wickets, while Pandya and Patel supported with two wickets each.
India’s Solid Chase Led by Kohli and Iyer
Chasing a modest total, India’s opening pair, Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill, got off to a steady start, adding 31 runs in 29 balls. However, Shaheen Shah Afridi dismissed Rohit Sharma for 20, which brought in Virat Kohli. Kohli, alongside Gill, controlled the chase with a 69-run partnership until Gill was dismissed for 46 off 52 balls in the 18th over.
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Kohli was then joined by Shreyas Iyer, and together, they put on a remarkable 114-run partnership, taking India within striking distance of the target. Both Kohli and Iyer reached half-centuries during the partnership, with Iyer contributing 56 runs off 67 balls. Despite a couple of quick wickets falling—Shreyas Iyer and Hardik Pandya—Kohli remained calm at the crease and guided India to victory with an unbeaten 100 off 111 balls.
Kohli’s remarkable performance was not just about the win, but also about reaching a major career milestone. With his century, he became the third player in history to cross 14,000 runs in ODI cricket, joining the legendary Sachin Tendulkar and Kumar Sangakkara. He also became the fastest player to achieve this feat, completing the milestone in 287 innings, beating Tendulkar’s 350 innings and Sangakkara’s 378 innings.
Kohli’s Milestone and India’s Dominance
Kohli’s achievement further solidified his place among the cricketing elite. His ability to chase down a target with a calm head under pressure has been a trademark of his career. As India reached the target with 45 balls to spare, Kohli’s brilliance was the standout factor in the chase, ensuring that there were no hiccups despite the loss of quick wickets towards the end.
This victory also highlights India’s ability to respond well in crunch situations, with both their batting and bowling units functioning in harmony. While Kohli and Iyer were crucial with the bat, the bowlers—especially Kuldeep Yadav—were instrumental in restricting Pakistan’s scoring rate and ensuring a modest target.
Pakistan’s Weaknesses and Missed Opportunities
For Pakistan, the inability to capitalize on their starts was a key reason for their defeat. While Babar Azam and Imam-ul-Haq began confidently, their dismissals at crucial junctures allowed India to seize control. The failure to build partnerships, especially after the solid stand between Rizwan and Shakeel, meant that Pakistan’s middle and lower order was left to deal with a daunting task.
Pakistan’s bowlers also failed to put enough pressure on India’s top order. While Shaheen Shah Afridi was successful in getting the early breakthrough, the absence of sustained pressure from the other bowlers allowed India to chase down the target comfortably.
India’s Clinical Performance in All Departments
India’s all-round performance in this game was a testament to their depth in both batting and bowling. With the top order firing and the bowlers consistently applying pressure, India demonstrated why they are one of the strongest teams in world cricket. Their dominance in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 continues as they head into the later stages of the tournament.
Playing XIs:
Pakistan: Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (C/WK), Salman Ali Agha, Tayyab Tahir, Khushdil Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed
India: Rohit Sharma (C), Shubhman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, KL Rahul (WK), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Harshit Rana, Mohammad Shami, Kuldeep Yadav
