By smrati khare in 5 hours
India extended their dominance over Pakistan in ICC tournaments with a commanding six-wicket victory in the Champions Trophy 2025 at Dubai International Stadium. The star of the show was Virat Kohli, who once again delivered under pressure, scoring a magnificent 100 off 111 balls* to guide India home.
Amid the celebrations, a heartwarming moment stole the spotlight—Captain Rohit Sharma ran towards Kohli, lifted him off the ground, and embraced him in joy after India secured the win. The images of Rohit and Kohli’s hug have since gone viral, symbolizing the incredible bond between the two stalwarts of Indian cricket.
Match Overview: Kohli’s Classic Chase Masterclass
Pakistan batted first, posting 241 runs in 50 overs.
Saud Shakeel (62) and Mohammad Rizwan (46) were the top scorers.
Kuldeep Yadav (3/45) and Axar Patel (2/38) bowled tight spells to restrict Pakistan.
India chased down the target in 42.3 overs, with Virat Kohli anchoring the innings.
Shubman Gill (56) and Shreyas Iyer (48) provided key contributions.
Kohli’s unbeaten 100 off 111 balls* ensured that India maintained their unbeaten run in the tournament and moved one step closer to the semi-finals.
Rohit Sharma’s Celebration Goes Viral
After Kohli hit the winning shot, Rohit Sharma sprinted towards him, lifted him in the air, and hugged him tightly, showing his appreciation for Kohli’s heroic innings.
Watch the viral moment here:
Rohit Sharma on Kohli’s performance:
“Virat loves these moments. He thrives in pressure games, and we knew he would step up today. His innings was pure class.”
Kohli’s reaction to the celebration:
“It’s always special to contribute in an India-Pakistan match. The hug from Rohit bhai was the cherry on top!”
This embrace was more than just a celebration—it was a moment of mutual respect between two of India’s greatest batters, highlighting their deep camaraderie.
India’s Semi-Final Spot Not Confirmed Yet!
Despite two consecutive wins, India has not yet officially qualified for the semi-finals. Their final group-stage match against New Zealand on March 2 will decide their fate.
India’s Qualification Scenarios:
If India beats New Zealand – They qualify as Group A leaders.
If India loses – Their fate will depend on Net Run Rate (NRR) and other results.
Team Matches Wins Losses Points NRR
India 2 2 0 4 +0.647
New Zealand 1 1 0 2 +1.200
Bangladesh 1 0 1 0 -0.408
Pakistan 2 0 2 0 -1.087
Next Match: IND vs NZ – March 2, 2025
Kohli’s century was not just another match-winning knock; it also added to his long list of records:
Fastest to 14,000 ODI Runs – Achieved in just 287 innings, breaking Sachin Tendulkar’s record.
51st ODI Century – Cementing his reputation as one of the game’s greatest finishers.
Consistent Performer Against Pakistan – Kohli has now scored four ICC centuries against Pakistan, reaffirming his dominance in high-pressure encounters.
With one foot in the semi-finals, India’s next challenge is New Zealand, a team that has troubled them in past ICC tournaments. Kohli’s form, Rohit’s leadership, and India’s bowling attack will be key in sealing qualification.
Will India finish the group stage unbeaten? Can Kohli continue his dream run? Stay tuned for all the latest updates!
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