Kohli’s Masterclass Seals India’s Victory Over Pakistan in Champions Trophy
What a game we just witnessed! India and Pakistan locked horns in the ICC Champions Trophy, and yet again, it was Virat Kohli who stole the show. In a high-stakes clash in Dubai, Kohli played a stunning unbeaten century to lead India to a comfortable six-wicket win, putting them in a strong position for the semi-finals while leaving Pakistan on the brink of elimination.
Pakistan won the toss and opted to bat first, but their innings never really took off. They struggled to build momentum, managing only 241 runs in 49.4 overs. Saud Shakeel (62 off 76) and Mohammad Rizwan (46 off 77) put together a 104-run stand, but their cautious approach failed to put any real pressure on the Indian bowlers. Kuldeep Yadav was outstanding, picking up 3 for 40, while Hardik Pandya’s economical spell of 2 for 31 further choked Pakistan’s scoring rate.
India’s chase started with a bit of drama when Shaheen Afridi sent Rohit Sharma’s stumps flying with a fiery yorker in the fifth over. However, that was as good as it got for Pakistan. Shubman Gill contributed 46, while Shreyas Iyer chipped in with a well-paced 56. But the day belonged to one man—Virat Kohli. With his usual composure, he anchored the innings, reaching his 51st ODI century off 111 balls. He sealed the victory in style, smashing a cover drive for four when he was on 98, sending the Indian fans into a frenzy.
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This win not only puts India on top of Group A with two consecutive victories but also leaves Pakistan in serious trouble. If New Zealand beats Bangladesh in their upcoming game, India’s semi-final spot will be secured, and Pakistan will officially be out of the tournament.
For Pakistan, it’s a wake-up call. Their batting lacked intent, and they consumed a staggering 147 dot balls in their innings. Rizwan and Shakeel tried to stabilize things, but their slow approach meant the team never looked set for a big total. The middle-order collapse, poor shot selection, and lack of attacking play cost them dearly. On the other hand, India executed their plans to perfection, controlling the game both with the ball and the bat.
With this performance, Kohli reaffirmed his dominance over Pakistan. In 17 ODIs against them, he has now amassed 778 runs at an average of nearly 60, including four centuries. He also crossed 14,000 ODI runs, achieving the milestone faster than even his idol, Sachin Tendulkar.
Looking ahead, Pakistan will face Bangladesh in their last group match, but their fate is no longer in their hands. India, meanwhile, will take on New Zealand next Sunday, looking to maintain their unbeaten run.
Once again, Virat Kohli proved why he’s considered one of the greatest ever. On a night when India needed a steady head, he delivered in style. The King is well and truly back!
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