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India vs Pakistan: Kohli overtakes to become 3rd highest run-getter and is being called as “the King who delivered” when it mattered the most. Yes, India had a huge win today, and Kohli in it turned out to be a key player. The way he played didn’t just show his patience but also showed a lot of strategic game. Not to mention, with the top order giving a good match, as said by Kohli, the middle order received the help, and they got to, yet again, get a historic win against Pakistan.
India vs Pakistan: the king has added another jewel to his crown
In the high-stakes clash against Pakistan, Virat Kohli again proved why he is called as one of the greatest chases in cricket history. With India needing 242 runs to win, Kohli played a masterful innings. He scored an unbeaten 101, guiding the team to a comfortable 6-wicket victory. It was Kohli’s 51st ODI century, the milestone which further cemented Kohli’s legacy as one of the all-time greats.
The knock of Kohli showed the blend of aggression yet was full of precision and patience. He began with caution and respected the good deliveries. However, as the innings progressed, he shifted the gears effortlessly.
Coming from Kohli, the flicks, cover drives and pulls were like a treat. The king ensured that the team never lost control of the chase. The ability of Kohli to absorb the pressure and deliver in the crunch situations was on full display. His celebration of reaching a century showed how much the innings meant to the team and him.
India vs Pakistan: Pakistan’s Batting was a mixed bag
Pakistan won the toss. They choose to bat first. They hoped to put up a big total on the board. But the innings of India vs Pakistan was like a rollercoaster ride. The openers like Babar Azam and Imam-ul-Haq showed caution, but the pressure from the bowlers of India was intense. It leads to Pakistani player’s eventual mistakes.
Babar, who looked in his good form, fell for Hardik Pandya at 23, edging one to wicketkeeper KL Rahul. Imam got run out in the mix-up, while Pakistan stood at 47/2.
The middle order, led by Mohammad Rizwan and Saud Shakeel, tried to stabilize the innings. Shakeel further played a composed knock. He secured a well-made 62. Rizwan, on the other hand, contributed 46 runs. The duo was able to add 104 runs for the 3rd wicket. But just when Pakistani seemed to be gaining their momentum, India did strike back. Axar Patel was able to dismiss Rizwan. Soon after, Panday removed Shakeel.
Pakistani’s team’s lower order was not capitalized correctly. The team was bowled out for 241 in the 49.4 overs. Kuldeep Yadav was the bowler pick, taking 3/40, while Axar and Pandya chipped in with the crucial wickets.
India vs Pakistan: in India’s chase, Iyer and Kohli stole the show
When chasing 242 runs, India got off to a shaky start. Rohit Sharma looked quite aggressive. However, he fell to the brilliance in-swinging Yorker from Shaheen Afridi for 20. On the other hand, Shubman Gill, who had been in his sublime form, did play a fluent 46 before he got bowled out by Abrar Ahmed. At 100/2, India was in need of a partnership, and they got the same as Shreyas Iyer and Kohli entered the field.
The duo was able to add 125 runs for 3rd wicket, with the Iyer player-perfect supporting role. He was able to score 56, rotating strike, while hitting some occasional boundaries, keeping the scorecard ticking. On the other hand, Kohli was in total control today. He reached his 50 in 62 balls. He then accelerated as he brought up the century with the boundary in the 48th over. His innings were like a masterclass in chasing. Not to forget, the king ensured India did cross the line with ease in India vs Pakistan.
India vs Pakistan: Pakistan’s Bowling came with missed opportunities
The bowlers from Pakistan had their moments. They, however, failed to capitalize on them. Shaheen Afridi was menacing early, dismissing Indian captain Rohit Sharma with the peach of a delivery.
Abrar Ahmed was further impressed as he picked up the crucial wicket of Gill.
However, the lack of 2nd quality spinner did hurt the Pakistani team, as Iyer and Kohli started to feast on the part-time options. Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf were expensive, and the fielding lapses included the dropped catch. It didn’t help the team’s cause. In the end, the bowling by Pakistani bowlers lacked the bite that was required to defend the modest total.
India vs Pakistan: Key moments
- Kohli’s Century: The chanceless innings were under pressure. The celebration of Kohli after reaching the 51st ODI hundred was a moment of cherish for all Indian fans.
- Kuldeep’s 3-wicket Haul- The left-arm spinner was instrumental in breaking the middle order of Pakistan. The dismissal of Shakeel and Rizwan turned the game in favour of the Indian team.
- Shaheen’s Yorker to Rohit: It was a perfect in-swinging Yorker that sent stumps of Rohit Sharma flying. It was a reminder of Shaheen’s ability to deliver in the big games.
- Iyer’s 50: It was a crucial knock that supported Kohli, ensuring India didn’t lose the momentum within the middle overs.
- Fielding lapses by Pakistan: Pakistan team members dropped catches, and the team’s misfields cost the team dearly, especially during the high-pressure game.
India vs Pakistan: What does it mean for India and Pakistan?
For India, the victory is a massive confidence booster. The return of King Kohli to the form is also a huge positive, and the ability of the team to chase down the target under pressure bodes quite well for the tournament ahead. The bowlers, in particular, Pandya and Kuldeep, were quite clinical. The fielding was very sharp.
For Pakistan, the loss was a huge setback. The batting lacked the firepower within the middle overs. The bowling, apart from that of Abrar and Shaheen, was quite inconsistent. The team will, therefore, need to regroup quickly if they are to stay in the tournament.
India vs Pakistan: Looking Ahead
The match India vs Pakistan was a reminder of why this match was one of the highly anticipated contents within cricket. The intensity, rivalry and drama never fail to disappoint. For India, their focus will be to maintain the momentum, while for Pakistan, well, they will need to address the weaknesses while ensuring they come back stronger. As the ICC Champions Trophy is short and intense, every single match here is crucial. So, both the teams will be quite eager to make the mark.
In the end, the entire match was one to remember for the Indian cricket fans as the team led by Kohli pulled off the thrilling victory. The king arrived, and he delivered and took the most catches, when the same mattered the most.
Read More: https://indiabuzznews.com/news/icc-champions-trophy-2025-full-schedule-venues-match-timings
