Clinical India leave Pakistan on the ropes

India's clinical performance in the Champions Trophy 2025 has left Pakistan reeling, as the defending champions restricted them to a sub-par score of 241 and then overhauled it comfortably. Virat Kohli led the way with a masterful unbeaten hundred, his 51st in the format.

India's bowlers played their part, with every bowler contributing to the team's success. The spinners, Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja, were particularly effective, as they restricted Pakistan's scoring and picked up crucial wickets. Hardik Pandya also chipped in with two wickets, including the key dismissal of Babar Azam.

Pakistan's batting was a mixed bag, with Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan putting on a 100-run partnership. However, the team's inability to accelerate and the loss of wickets at crucial junctures meant that they were unable to post a competitive total.

India's chase was a stroll in the park, with Kohli leading the way. He got going with a couple of check-driven fours off Haris Rauf and then built his innings through strike rotation. Shreyas Iyer also chipped in with a 56 off 67, and the pair's 69-run stand was ended when Abrar Ahmed ripped a ball past Kohli and castled him.

From there on, it was a cruise to the finish, with Kohli eventually getting to his hundred with two runs left for the win. The only narrative left to uncover was if Kohli would get to his hundred, and he did so by slapping his 111th ball for a four.

Brief scores:
Pakistan 241 in 49.4 overs (Saud Shakeel 62, Mohammad Rizwan 46; Kuldeep Yadav 3-40, Hardik Pandya 2-31) lost to India 244/4 in 42.3 overs (Virat Kohli 100*, Shreyas Iyer 56; Shaheen Afridi 2-74) by six wickets.