Kohli’s record-breaking century and ruthless chase send Pakistan crashing out of Champions Trophy

Virat Kohli delivered a masterclass in destruction as India stormed to a six-wicket victory over Pakistan in the Champions Trophy 2025. His unbeaten 100 off 111 balls not only sealed India’s win but also shattered records, making him the fastest cricketer to surpass 14,000 ODI runs.

Chasing a modest target of 242, India’s batters showed no mercy. Captain Rohit Sharma (20) and Shubman Gill (46) provided an explosive start, smashing boundaries before Pakistan briefly struck back. Shaheen Shah Afridi’s lethal yorker sent Rohit packing, while Abrar Ahmed dismissed Gill with a deceptive carrom ball. However, Pakistan’s moment of hope was short-lived.

Kohli, alongside Shreyas Iyer (56), dismantled Pakistan’s attack with a commanding 114-run partnership. Kohli played with ruthless precision, hammering seven boundaries on his way to his 51st ODI century. Shreyas, too, piled on the misery, surviving an early drop before reaching his fifty. By the time India needed just 19 runs from 60 balls, Pakistan’s fight had long fizzled out. Kohli fittingly sealed the match with a glorious cover drive, raising his bat in celebration as India triumphed with 45 balls to spare.

Earlier, Pakistan’s innings failed to ignite despite a steady 62 from Saud Shakeel and 46 from skipper Mohammad Rizwan. Their slow 104-run stand stabilised the innings, but India’s relentless bowling attack never allowed momentum to build. Hardik Pandya (2-31) struck first, removing Babar Azam (23), while Axar Patel’s pinpoint direct hit ran out Imam-ul-Haq (10), leaving Pakistan reeling.

Kuldeep Yadav (3-40) tightened the noose, picking up two wickets in successive balls and later dismissing Naseem Shah with a stunning catch by Kohli. A brief resistance from Khushdil Shah (38) and Salman Ali Agha (19) pushed Pakistan past 200, but their total of 241 was never going to be enough against an in-form Indian batting line-up.

With this win, India climbs to the top of Group A, while Pakistan, having lost to New Zealand earlier, now sits at the bottom, all but eliminated. Their only remaining fixture against Bangladesh is now a mere formality, while India will face New Zealand in a high-stakes clash on March 2.

Pakistan’s captain Rizwan admitted their failings, lamenting poor shot selection and missed fielding opportunities. In contrast, Rohit Sharma hailed his side’s all-round performance, praising Kohli’s masterclass and the bowlers’ clinical display.

This latest humiliation extends India’s dominance over Pakistan in ODIs, with eight wins in their last nine encounters. Kohli’s century wasn’t just another record—it was a statement. And with the form India is in, the message to the rest of the cricketing world is loud and clear: they mean business.