India vs Pakistan, ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Virat Kohli Ton Powers India to a 6-Wicket Win, Set to Seal Semis Spot
In one of the most anticipated matchups in world cricket, India faced their arch-rivals Pakistan in a high-stakes encounter at the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The clash between these two cricketing giants lived up to expectations, and the game turned into a spectacle of skill, pressure, and drama. It was a match that captivated millions, and in the end, India emerged victorious by 6 wickets, thanks to a stellar century from Virat Kohli. With this win, India was all but certain to seal their spot in the semi-finals, while Pakistan faced an uphill battle to qualify.
The Stage is Set: A Clash of Titans
India and Pakistan have always shared a fierce rivalry in cricket, and every time these two teams meet, the stakes are higher than ever. The 2025 Champions Trophy was no exception, and this match was crucial for both sides. With only a few games remaining in the group stage, the outcome of this encounter would significantly impact the qualification scenarios for the semi-finals.
India, having started the tournament with solid performances, were in a strong position, but they knew that a win against Pakistan would nearly guarantee their progression. Pakistan, on the other hand, needed to win to stay alive in the tournament and keep their hopes of making the semi-finals intact.
The match was played in Rawalpindi, a venue known for its flat pitches, which usually produce high-scoring games. Fans from both nations filled the stands, creating an electric atmosphere. The crowd was buzzing with anticipation as the players made their way onto the field.
Pakistan’s Innings: Batted Hard, But India Struck Back
Pakistan won the toss and opted to bat first, hoping to put up a strong total on the board and put India under pressure. The opening partnership between Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq was steady, as the duo laid the foundation for a competitive total. The early exchanges were relatively calm, but the Indian bowlers were disciplined, sticking to tight lines and lengths, not giving the Pakistani batsmen easy runs.
However, just as Pakistan began to find their rhythm, the Indian bowlers struck. The ever-reliable Mohammed Shami was the first to break the partnership, sending Imam-ul-Haq back to the pavilion with a beautifully executed delivery that knocked his off-stump. Fakhar Zaman followed soon after, dismissed by the pace and swing of Jasprit Bumrah, who continued his excellent form in the tournament.
Despite the early setbacks, Pakistan managed to rebuild through Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan. The two shared a crucial partnership, and the middle overs saw Pakistan beginning to accelerate. Babar Azam, in particular, was in fine touch, playing some elegant shots through the cover region and hitting occasional boundaries. However, the breakthrough for India came at the right time.
Hardik Pandya, known for his all-round prowess, made the key breakthrough by dismissing Babar Azam. From there, Pakistan’s middle-order crumbled under pressure. Shadab Khan and Iftikhar Ahmed failed to make significant contributions, and India capitalized on the lower order’s fragility. Pakistan could only manage to reach 242/8 in their allotted 50 overs, a total that seemed competitive but certainly not unchaseable.
India’s Chase: Virat Kohli’s Brilliance Shines
With a target of 243 runs to win, India knew that their top-order needed to fire, especially after the rain-impacted washout against South Africa earlier in the tournament. The Indian chase began with Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill at the crease, and the two openers got off to a steady start. The Pakistan bowlers, spearheaded by Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf, started with good pace and bounce, testing the Indian batsmen with their raw pace.
However, the Indian batsmen were up for the challenge. Rohit Sharma, known for his explosive batting, was at his fluent best, playing some eye-catching drives and flicks. He was looking good for a big score when he was dismissed by a short-pitched delivery from Haris Rauf that climbed on him, and he was caught behind. The early departure of Rohit Sharma brought Virat Kohli to the crease, and the cricketing world knew that all eyes would be on the former Indian captain.
Kohli’s arrival at the crease was a turning point in the match. The weight of the occasion, the pressure of the chase, and the intensity of the rivalry were nothing new to Kohli, who had built a reputation for thriving in big matches. His presence at the crease settled the Indian innings. He started cautiously, playing himself in, but soon got into his rhythm, playing his signature cover drives and wristy flicks off the spinners. His ability to rotate strike was impeccable, ensuring that the required run rate never got out of hand.
Shubman Gill, at the other end, was playing a supporting role and looked solid, but it was Kohli who dominated the proceedings. The partnership between Kohli and Gill was crucial, as the two stitched together a 100-run stand, taking India closer to the target. Gill was eventually dismissed for a well-made 45, but by then, India were well on their way.
Kohli’s Masterclass: A Century for the Ages
Virat Kohli’s innings was nothing short of a masterclass. He was patient when needed, aggressive when the situation required, and most importantly, he was focused throughout. Kohli’s century was the highlight of the chase, as he guided India towards the target with minimal fuss. His strokes were a mix of elegance and power, with his trademark cover drives, flicks, and pulls.
As Kohli approached his century, the crowd at Rawalpindi was in full support, with Indian fans chanting his name. Kohli, as always, was calm and composed, focusing solely on the task at hand. His hundred came off just 93 balls, a performance that showed why he remains one of the best chase masters in the game. It was a crucial knock, and one that would go down in history as one of his finest in an India-Pakistan encounter.
With Kohli’s ton and his excellent partnership with Gill and later, Hardik Pandya (who played a cameo of 25), India had all but secured the match. The game ended with Kohli finishing on an unbeaten 112, as India comfortably reached the target of 243 with 6 wickets in hand, with 5 balls to spare. Kohli’s brilliance ensured that India stayed on course for the semi-finals, as the win brought them to the top of their group.
Pakistan’s Struggles: The Disappointment of the Loss
For Pakistan, the loss was a bitter pill to swallow. After setting a target of 243, they had hoped their bowlers would rise to the occasion and put India under pressure. However, despite strong performances from Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf, they failed to contain the brilliance of Kohli. The inability of their middle-order to contribute enough runs, combined with the lack of breakthroughs in the chase, meant that Pakistan’s hopes of reaching the semi-finals were now hanging by a thread.
Aftermath and Implications for Semi-Final Qualification
With the 6-wicket win over Pakistan, India were all but guaranteed a semi-final spot in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Kohli’s match-winning knock reinforced his reputation as one of the best chase masters in world cricket. India’s top-order, led by Kohli, had shown resilience and composure under pressure, and the win against their arch-rivals added another feather to their already impressive campaign.
For Pakistan, the loss was a major blow, leaving them with limited options for qualification. They would need to win their remaining matches and hope for favorable results from other teams in their group. The defeat meant that they now had to rely on other results going in their favor to keep their semi-final hopes alive.
Conclusion
The India vs Pakistan match in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 was a classic encounter that lived up to all expectations. Virat Kohli’s brilliant century guided India to a commanding 6-wicket win, and with this victory, India almost sealed their spot in the semi-finals. Pakistan, despite some spirited performances, fell short in the face of Kohli’s brilliance, and their tournament hopes were left hanging in the balance. As the tournament progresses, India will look to carry forward their momentum, while Pakistan will need to regroup and fight hard to stay alive in the competition.
