India secured a confidence-boosting victory over arch-rivals Pakistan in their 2025 Champions Trophy group-stage clash on Sunday, February 23, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. This marked India’s second consecutive win in the tournament, while Pakistan suffered their second defeat.
Both teams played their second match of the tournament, with India already off to a strong start after defeating Bangladesh in their opener. Meanwhile, Pakistan aimed to bounce back following their loss to New Zealand.
Before this game, Pakistan led the Champions Trophy head-to-head, but India’s win leveled the record at 3-3. With this triumph, Team India also secured a semi-final spot, with one group-stage match remaining against New Zealand on March 2.
Right after scoring the winning runs, Virat Kohli celebrated the victory over arch-rivals Pakistan with a gesture reminiscent of Suryakumar Yadav.
You can watch the video here:
𝗞𝗢𝗛𝗟𝗜 𝗙𝗜𝗡𝗜𝗦𝗛𝗘𝗦 𝗢𝗙𝗙 𝗜𝗡 𝗦𝗧𝗬𝗟𝗘! 💯@imVkohli takes #TeamIndia over the line, bringing his first-ever hundred in the #ChampionsTrophy, his 51st in ODIs, and 82nd across formats. 🙌
Take a bow, KING! 👑#ChampionsTrophyOnJioStar 👉 #INDvPAK | LIVE NOW on Star… pic.twitter.com/pzUmDiAtyp
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) February 23, 2025
Virat Kohli’s 51st ODI century guides India to a successful run chase
Skipper Rohit Sharma gave India a blazing start in the chase before Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli took control. While Kohli paced his innings cautiously, vice-captain Gill kept the scoreboard moving with his aggressive approach.
The duo built a solid 69-run partnership, ensuring Rohit’s dismissal didn’t put India under pressure. Just as Gill neared his half-century, he fell to Abrar Ahmed, giving Pakistan their second breakthrough.
Pakistan remained hopeful after that wicket, but what followed was pure dominance from the Indian batters. Virat Kohli teamed up with Shreyas Iyer, who came in at No. 4, and the pair built a commanding 114-run partnership off 128 balls.
Both Kohli and Iyer scored half-centuries before Iyer fell to Khushdil Shah, courtesy of a brilliant catch by Imam-ul-Haq. Hardik Pandya’s quick cameo and Kohli’s match-winning shot, marking his 82nd international fifty, sealed India’s comfortable six-wicket win, taking them to the top of the group standings.
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