Virat Kohli once again proved his class on the big stage, scoring his 51st One-Day International (ODI) century to lead India to a commanding six-wicket victory over Pakistan in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
Chasing 242 for victory, India lost Rohit Sharma early in the PowerPlay, but Kohli steadied the innings, forging crucial partnerships with Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer to steer his team home with 45 balls to spare.
Speaking after the match, Kohli emphasized the importance of his innings and how India executed their game plan effectively.
“To be honest, it feels good to bat in this manner in an important game and seal qualification. Losing Rohit early meant we had to apply ourselves. My job was to control the middle overs without taking too many risks, and then Shreyas accelerated towards the end,” Kohli stated.
The 36-year-old Indian batting maestro acknowledged the contributions of Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer, who played pivotal roles in India’s successful chase.
“Shubman did well against Shaheen [Afridi], took him on early. There’s a reason he’s the No. 1 batter in the world. We needed 60-70 runs in the PowerPlay to stay ahead. And Shreyas is really making No. 4 his own—he performed well in India, and now he’s doing it here too,” Kohli added.
“I have a decent understanding of my game. It’s about staying in my space, keeping the outside noise away, and maintaining my energy levels. My job is to stay present and contribute to the team. Every ball I give my 100%, and eventually, God rewards you,” he remarked.
With this victory, India sealed their spot in the semi-finals, while defending champions Pakistan’s fate now hangs by a thread.