CT25 : Kohli 100 helps India to outplay timid Pakistan

 

Eight years ago, Pakistan triumphed over India in the Champions Trophy final at The Oval. This time, India avenged that defeat, putting Pakistan on the brink of elimination from the tournament. Batting first, Pakistan posted a total of 241 runs. India, led by a masterful century from Virat Kohli, chased down the target with 45 balls to spare, winning by six wickets.

India’s pacers had been instrumental in their victory against Bangladesh, but against Pakistan, it was the spinners who took charge. Kuldeep Yadav played a crucial role in restricting Pakistan to a modest total, and Kohli finished the job with the bat, steering India to a comfortable victory.

Matches between India and Pakistan are always high-voltage encounters. While some sections of the Dubai stadium remained empty at the start, they eventually filled up, and millions followed the match on television and mobile screens. However, the anticipated close contest did not materialize. India once again dominated Pakistan in an ICC event.

Pakistan had arrived in Dubai after losing to New Zealand in their opening match. A loss against India meant their chances of progressing in the tournament would diminish significantly. However, the Pakistani players did not put up a desperate fight. Captain Mohammad Rizwan won the toss and chose to bat, knowing that chasing in Dubai can be challenging. But with India’s efficiency in run-chases, the conditions did not prove to be an obstacle. Kohli and his teammates calmly steered their side to victory.

Mohammed Shami, who had taken five wickets in the previous match, struggled this time. He bowled five wides in his first over, making it the longest over by an Indian bowler in Champions Trophy history. Previously, Jasprit Bumrah had bowled a nine-ball over against Pakistan in the 2017 final. Shami surpassed that, delivering an 11-ball over.

Shami also suffered a slight injury in his third over, forcing him to leave the field briefly. He later returned but was unable to make a significant impact. Captain Rohit Sharma did not even use him for his full quota of 10 overs. Shami ended with figures of 8-0-43-0. Hardik Pandya stepped up in his place, taking two wickets for 31 runs in eight overs, while Harshit Rana chipped in with one wicket. However, it was the Indian spinners who made the biggest impact, collectively taking five wickets. Kuldeep Yadav led the attack with three wickets, while Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja claimed one each. Axar was also involved in two run-outs.

Pakistan lost two wickets for 47 runs before Mohammad Rizwan (46) and Saud Shakeel (62) stitched together a crucial 104-run partnership. India went wicketless between the 11th and 33rd overs, but they maintained tight control over the scoring rate. That discipline proved crucial, as a first-innings total of 300 would have made the chase much tougher. In the end, India’s bowlers ensured Pakistan was restricted. Had Shami not conceded two sixes in the final over, Pakistan’s total would have been even lower. Axar Patel broke the crucial 104-run stand by dismissing Rizwan.

Chasing 242, India lost Rohit Sharma early. However, his 20 runs off 15 balls ensured Pakistan could not put India under early pressure. He was bowled by a brilliant yorker from Shaheen Shah Afridi. Kohli then steadied the innings, building a 69-run partnership with Shubman Gill, who was dismissed for 46.

Kohli took responsibility from there, pacing his innings perfectly. Partnering with Shreyas Iyer (56), he guided India closer to the target. There was some controversy when Iyer was caught by Imam-ul-Haq off Khushdil Shah’s bowling, as replays suggested the ball might have touched the ground. However, his dismissal did not impact the match's outcome. Kohli remained unbeaten on a hundred , ensuring India crossed the finish line.

In the 2017 Champions Trophy final, Kohli had managed only five runs and failed to lead India to victory as captain. This time, he made amends as a batter, scoring a match-winning century to support captain Rohit Sharma. In that final, Fakhar Zaman had scored a hundred for Pakistan, but he was unavailable this time due to injury. Babar Azam (23) and his teammates failed to replicate that performance, leaving Pakistan with a tough road ahead in the tournament.