Virat Kohli let his bat do the talking with a record-breaking 51st ODI century, helping India secure a commanding six-wicket win over Pakistan in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Dubai.
Kohli, who has faced criticism recently, particularly after a modest Test tour of Australia and a scratchy 22-run knock against Bangladesh in India’s tournament opener, bounced back in style against his favourite opposition. His unbeaten 100 off 111 balls (7 fours) at a strike rate of 90.09 was a masterclass in chasing under pressure, guiding India past Pakistan’s total of 241 with ease.
Speaking about Kohli’s heroics, his childhood coach Raj Kumar Sharma urged critics to simply “look at his stats.”
“It was a remarkable performance. Virat has been doing this for a long time. Critics can say what they want, but Virat answers with the bat. His work ethic is unmatched, which is why he consistently delivers,” Raj Kumar told media.
Kohli’s innings was more than just another century—it was a statement. His partnerships with Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer laid the foundation for the chase, and he fittingly struck the winning boundary with a shot “clean as a whistle.”
Adding to his milestones, Kohli became the fastest player to reach 14,000 ODI runs, further cementing his legacy as the ‘chase master.’ This was also his sixth century in ICC ODI events and his first in the ICC Champions Trophy.
Former India cricketer Sarandeep Singh hailed the team’s overall performance, calling it a “deserving victory” for the world’s best ODI team.
“This match against Pakistan is always like a war. India’s ability to win in challenging conditions shows why they are the best team in ODIs right now,” Sarandeep remarked.
With this win, India continues its unbeaten streak in the tournament and inches closer to a spot in the semifinals, leaving fans and cricket pundits alike in awe of Kohli’s brilliance and the team’s dominance.