Virat Kohli's Unbeaten Century in India vs Pakistan Champions Trophy 2025 Highlights

In one of the most anticipated matches at the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, Virat Kohli proved again why he is a cricket legend. His unbeaten century guided India to a commanding six-wicket victory in a high-stakes clash against Kohli's arch-rivals Pakistan at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

His masterful performance anchored the innings and was crucial in securing India's semi-final spot. This blog shares the key highlights and essential match facts that made this encounter unforgettable.

Key Highlights and Essential Match Facts

1. Virat Kohli scored an unbeaten 100, leading India to a six-wicket win over Pakistan in the Champions Trophy 2025.
2. The match occurred on February 23, 2025, at Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
3. Kohli's 51st ODI century helped India chase 242 runs, securing a semi-final spot.
4. Surprisingly, Kohli also became the fastest to 14,000 ODI runs, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar.

Match Background and Significance

The Champions Trophy 2025, a prestigious ICC tournament, featured eight teams divided into two groups, with India and Pakistan in Group A alongside Bangladesh and New Zealand.

Given the historic rivalry and tournament implications, the match on February 23, 2025, at Dubai International Cricket Stadium was a high-stakes encounter.

As hosts and defending champions, Pakistan was under pressure after losing to New Zealand, while India aimed to solidify their semi-final chances after beating Bangladesh.

Detailed Match Summary

Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat, posting 241 runs in 49.4 overs. Key contributors included Saud Shakeel with 62 runs and Mohammad Rizwan with 46.

India's bowling was led by Kuldeep Yadav, who took 3 wickets for 40 runs, supported by Hardik Pandya (2/31).

The innings saw Pakistan struggle in the middle overs, with dot balls (80 in the first 20 overs) hampering their momentum.

In response, India chased 242 runs, finishing at 244 for 4 in 42.3 overs, winning by six wickets with 45 balls to spare.

The chase was anchored by Shubman Gill (46), Rohit Sharma (20), and, crucially, Virat Kohli' s unbeaten 100. Shreyas Iyer added 56, forming a 114-run partnership with Kohli for the third wicket.

Kohli's Performance

Kohli's unbeaten century was a masterclass, featuring a crucial 114-run partnership with Iyer.

He reached his hundred in the 43rd over, hitting boundaries precisely and managing the chase efficiently.

His innings included reaching 14,000 ODI runs faster than any player before, a remarkable feat.

Virat Kohli's Innings

Virat Kohli's performance was the highlight, scoring 100 not out of 111 balls, marking his 51st ODI century. His innings blended patience and aggression, starting cautiously and accelerating as needed. here are few Key aspects include:

1. Partnerships: Kohli's 114-run stand with Shreyas Iyer was pivotal, ensuring India stayed on track. Earlier, he built on the foundation laid by Gill and Sharma.
2. Milestones: During the innings, Kohli became the fastest to 14,000 ODI runs, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar by 63 innings. He also took his 158th ODI catch, breaking Mohammad Azharuddin's record for most catches by an Indian fielder.
3. Shot Selection: Kohli relied on his cover drives and pull shots, hitting 7 boundaries, and effectively managed the middle overs against spinners, as he noted post-match: "My job was to control the middle overs against spinners."
4. Crowd Reaction: The Dubai crowd, which includes a significant Indian diaspora, erupted when Kohli reached his century, especially as he finished the game with a boundary, ensuring victory and a personal milestone simultaneously.

Post-match, Kohli reflected, at 36, it feels really good. I will put my feet up for a few days as it takes a lot out of me to put that kind of effort into every game, "highlighting the physical and mental toll of such performances.

Tournament Implications

This victory propelled India to the top of Group A with four points from two games, nearly securing a semi-final spot.

With two losses, Pakistan faced elimination unless they won their remaining matches, and other results favored them.

The match underscored India's dominance in ODIs against Pakistan since 2017, with a 6-0 record, including this win.

Statistical Breakdown and Key Player Performances

To organize the key statistics, here's a table summarizing the match:

Additionally, here's a table of Cricinfo's Most Valuable Players, highlighting impact:

Future Fantasy Cricket Tips and Team Selection Ideas

For fantasy cricket enthusiasts, this match offered insights into player performances for future selections:

• Top Performers: Virat Kohli (100*), Shreyas Iyer (56), Shubman Gill (46), and Saud Shakeel (62) were standout batsmen. Kuldeep Yadav (3/40) and Hardik Pandya (2/31) led the bowling.
• Captaincy Options: Kohli's consistent big-match performances make him a reliable captaincy choice. His ability to anchor and accelerate makes him valuable in fantasy teams.
• Bowling Picks: Spinners like Kuldeep Yadav could be practical in conditions favoring spin, as seen in this match. Hardik Pandya's all-round contribution (8 runs, 2 wickets) adds versatility.
• Future Considerations: For upcoming matches, consider Iyer for middle-order stability and Pakistan's Shakeel for potential recovery performances, given his half-century.
• These insights can guide fantasy players in building teams for similar high-pressure games, focusing on players who perform under pressure.

Conclusion

Virat Kohli's Unbeaten century in the India vs. Pakistan Champions Trophy 2025 match was a defining moment, showcasing his enduring skill and big-match temperament. His performance secured a crucial win for India and highlighted his record-breaking achievements, making it a memorable chapter in cricket history. As the tournament progresses, this match will be remembered for Kohli's Brilliance and the intense rivalry it signified.