In a thrilling culmination to the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, India emerged victorious over arch-rivals Pakistan, clinching the title with a commanding performance. The final, held at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on February 23, 2025, was a spectacle that captivated cricket fans worldwide.
Pakistan’s Innings: A Solid Foundation
Opting to bat first, Pakistan set a competitive total of 241 runs, all out in 49.4 overs. The innings was anchored by Saud Shakeel, who top-scored with 62 runs off 76 balls, and captain Mohammad Rizwan, who contributed 46 runs from 77 deliveries. Their partnership of 104 runs was pivotal in stabilizing the innings. However, the middle order faltered under pressure, with the team losing momentum and wickets at regular intervals.
India’s bowlers were exceptional, with Kuldeep Yadav leading the attack by taking 3 wickets for 40 runs. Hardik Pandya also made significant contributions, claiming 2 wickets for 31 runs, effectively restricting Pakistan’s scoring opportunities.
India’s Chase: Kohli’s Masterclass
Chasing 242 runs, India faced early challenges but were steadied by the experienced Virat Kohli. Kohli’s unbeaten 100 runs off 108 balls was a masterclass in batting, showcasing his ability to anchor the innings under pressure. This century marked his 51st in One Day Internationals and propelled him past 14,000 career runs in the format, making him the third player to achieve this milestone.
Supporting Kohli, Shreyas Iyer contributed a valuable 56 runs, and Shubman Gill added 46 runs. Their partnerships were crucial in maintaining the required run rate and ensuring a steady progression towards the target. India reached 244 for 4 in 48.1 overs, securing a six-wicket victory with 21 balls to spare.
Impact on the Tournament
This victory not only secured India’s place in the semi-finals but also underscored their dominance in the tournament. The win was particularly significant as it came against their traditional rivals, adding to the historic nature of the match. For Pakistan, the loss was a setback, placing their progression in the tournament in jeopardy. Captain Mohammad Rizwan acknowledged the pressure on the middle order, stating that the team failed to build on the initial momentum provided by the openers.
Good news for India: Kohli is back in form, as confirmed by his childhood coach
Virat Kohli proved he is still at the top of his game with an unbeaten 100 in India’s victory over Pakistan in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. His century helped India chase down 242 runs, securing their second consecutive win and bringing them closer to a semi-final spot. Kohli also became only the third player to score 14,000 runs in ODIs, joining Sachin Tendulkar and Kumar Sangakkara.
Kohli steadied the innings after India lost captain Rohit Sharma early, building partnerships with Shubman Gill (46) and Shreyas Iyer (56). His calm approach and ability to accelerate when needed played a crucial role in the win. After the match, Kohli expressed satisfaction with his performance, highlighting his understanding of the game and his ability to control the middle overs.
Despite struggles in Test cricket, Kohli’s performance in this high-pressure game reaffirmed his status as one of the greats. Looking ahead, he welcomed a short break before India’s next match against New Zealand. Rohit Sharma, India’s captain, noted that the dressing room was not surprised by Kohli’s return to form, as his ability to deliver in crucial moments is well known.
India vs Pakistan – 2025 ICC Champions Trophy Final Scorecard
Pakistan Innings
| Player | Runs | Balls | Fours | Sixes | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mohammad Rizwan (c) | 46 | 77 | 5 | 1 | 59.74 |
| Saud Shakeel | 62 | 76 | 7 | 0 | 81.57 |
| Shan Masood | 14 | 23 | 1 | 0 | 60.87 |
| Iftikhar Ahmed | 10 | 16 | 1 | 0 | 62.50 |
| Shadab Khan | 15 | 22 | 2 | 0 | 68.18 |
| Faheem Ashraf | 20 | 26 | 3 | 0 | 76.92 |
| Mohammad Nawaz | 25 | 30 | 3 | 0 | 83.33 |
| Haris Rauf | 2 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 33.33 |
| Shaheen Afridi | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Mohammad Wasim Jr. | 3 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 42.86 |
| Total | 242 | 49.4 | 22 | 1 |
India Innings
| Player | Runs | Balls | Fours | Sixes | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rohit Sharma (c) | 5 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 62.50 |
| Shubman Gill | 46 | 59 | 6 | 0 | 78.00 |
| Virat Kohli | 100* | 108 | 10 | 1 | 92.59 |
| Shreyas Iyer | 56 | 62 | 5 | 0 | 90.32 |
| Hardik Pandya | 20 | 18 | 2 | 0 | 111.11 |
| Rishabh Pant | 12 | 15 | 1 | 0 | 80.00 |
| Axar Patel | 3 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 60.00 |
| Kuldeep Yadav | 4* | 3 | 1 | 0 | 133.33 |
| Mohammad Shami | 0* | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Jasprit Bumrah | 0* | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Total | 244/4 | 48.1 | 25 | 1 |