India clinched a dominant six-wicket victory over Pakistan in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, thanks to a scintillating century by Virat Kohli, which effectively ended Pakistan’s hopes of advancing further in the tournament.
With this crucial win, India has secured a spot in the semifinals and reasserted their superiority in this long-standing rivalry.
Pakistan won the toss and opted to bat first, but their innings never gained strong momentum, as they were bowled out for 241 runs with just two balls left in their 50-over innings. Mohammad Rizwan and Saud Shakeel provided some resistance, but a flurry of middle-order wickets derailed Pakistan’s innings. India’s bowling attack was sharp, with Hardik Pandya leading the pace battery, while Kuldeep Yadav played a key role in dismantling Pakistan’s middle order.
India’s chase was executed efficiently, as they reached the target in 42.3 overs, losing only four wickets along the way. Rohit Sharma gave India an explosive start before falling early, leaving Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli to stabilize the innings. Kohli anchored the chase masterfully, ensuring there were no hiccups and securing victory with an unbeaten century. His ton not only sealed the win but also saw him surpass 14,000 ODI runs, making him the third-highest run-scorer in men’s international cricket history.
With this win, India has now drawn level with Pakistan at 3-3 in head-to-head clashes in the ICC Champions Trophy. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s hopes of progressing have taken a major hit, and they must now win their final group-stage game to have any chance of advancing.
Indian skipper Rohit Sharma praised his team’s performance, particularly highlighting the role of spinners Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, and Ravindra Jadeja in restricting Pakistan’s scoring. He also lauded Kohli’s remarkable consistency and ability to thrive under pressure.
On the other hand, Pakistan’s captain, Mohammad Rizwan, acknowledged that his team failed to capitalize on their start and credited India’s bowlers for their disciplined approach. He emphasized the need for improvement in shot selection, fielding, and execution in their upcoming match.
India’s strong bowling display set the stage for victory, while Kohli’s century ensured a comfortable chase. As India advances confidently into the semifinals, Pakistan faces a tough road ahead, needing a victory in their final group match to stay in contention.
