Virat Kohli once again lived up to his reputation as the ‘Chase Master,’ delivering a sensational knock to guide India to a dominant six-wicket victory over Pakistan in the ICC Champions Trophy group stage clash in Dubai on Sunday.

Despite Pakistan throwing everything at him, Kohli remained an immovable force, crafting a batting masterclass that not only secured India’s win but also pushed Pakistan to the brink of elimination. During his innings, he also surpassed 14,000 ODI runs, further cementing his legacy.

Related News

Chasing 242, Rohit Sharma started aggressively, targeting Naseem Shah before falling to a searing Shaheen Afridi yorker on 20(15). After an early 31-run stand, Shubman Gill and Kohli steadied the innings with a blend of caution and calculated stroke play. While Gill played the aggressor, Kohli anchored the innings.

Pakistan’s pacers struggled in the powerplay, prompting skipper Mohammad Rizwan to introduce Haris Rauf. Rauf almost struck immediately when Gill mistimed a pull shot to Khushdil Shah, but the chance went begging. Soon after, Gill and Kohli built a crucial 69-run partnership before mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed dismissed Gill with a sharp carrom ball. The opener departed for 46(52).

Kohli then joined forces with Shreyas Iyer, forming a match-winning stand. Kohli remained composed, while Shreyas countered Pakistan’s attack with inventive stroke play, including well-timed reverse sweeps. Kohli brought up his 74th ODI fifty with a boundary, and Shreyas soon followed, reaching his 21st ODI half-century.

Shreyas’ innings ended at 56(67) after Imam-ul-Haq took a sharp catch off Khushdil Shah’s bowling. Hardik Pandya struck a quick boundary but was caught behind for 8(6). Kohli, however, remained unfazed, driving his way to a record-extending 51st ODI century. His glorious cover drive not only sealed the victory but also ensured India’s triumph with more than seven overs to spare.

Earlier, Pakistan started well, with Imam-ul-Haq and Babar Azam adding 41 runs before Hardik Pandya made the breakthrough. Soon after, Imam was run out for 10, leaving Pakistan at 47/2. Babar’s 23 off 26 balls, featuring five boundaries, was one of the highlights of their innings.

Pakistan reached their 50-run mark in 9.4 overs before Saud Shakeel and Rizwan built a crucial 104-run stand. Shakeel brought up his fifty in 63 balls, while Rizwan made a patient 46 off 77 before Axar Patel bowled him in the 33rd over.

Pakistan lost momentum after Shakeel’s dismissal for 62, with Hardik striking again. Tayyab Tahir fell cheaply for 4, bowled by Ravindra Jadeja, reducing Pakistan to 165/5. Their lower order struggled, with Salman Agha (19) and Shaheen Afridi (0) departing quickly. Naseem Shah’s 14 provided some resistance, but Pakistan crumbled to 222/7.

Kuldeep Yadav was India’s standout bowler, taking 3/40 in his nine overs and reaching 300 international wickets. Pandya, who also reached 200 international wickets, finished with 2/31.

Khushdil Shah fought back with a valuable 38 off 39, but Pakistan’s lower order failed to accelerate. Haris Rauf was run out for 8, and Khushdil was the last to depart, with Harshit Rana claiming his first wicket.

Pakistan was eventually bundled out for 241 in 49.4 overs. Except for Mohammed Shami, every Indian bowler contributed with wickets, as Axar and Jadeja picked up one each. Kuldeep led the attack, ensuring India had a manageable target, which Kohli chased down in style.