Virat Kohli Guides India to Victory with 51st ODI Century Against Pakistan in 2025 Champions Trophy

Virat Kohli’s remarkable 51st ODI century became the centerpiece of India’s dominant performance over Pakistan in the 2025 Champions Trophy, as India made a statement with both bat and ball. Kohli, who has been at the top of his game for over a decade, showed once again why he is widely regarded as one of the greatest ODI batsmen of all time, guiding India to a resounding victory in one of the most anticipated matchups of the tournament.

The match between India and Pakistan is always filled with intensity, pressure, and high expectations, and the 2025 Champions Trophy was no different. Pakistan won the toss and opted to bowl first, hoping to make early breakthroughs. However, despite some early jitters, India was in safe hands with Virat Kohli coming to the crease after two early wickets. At 49 for 2, the game was delicately poised, and Kohli’s experience and ability to handle pressure were exactly what India needed.

From the moment Kohli entered the middle, his calm and focused approach stood out. He took his time to get settled but soon displayed his trademark flair. Pakistan’s bowlers, including the ever-threatening Shaheen Afridi and Hasan Ali, found it difficult to break through Kohli’s defenses. His impeccable shot selection and timing were evident as he started to take control of the situation. Despite being under pressure, Kohli’s technique and mental fortitude ensured that India’s innings never lost its rhythm.

The Indian star kept his composure and slowly started to build his innings. As he grew in confidence, Kohli shifted gears, pushing for boundaries when the opportunity arose and placing the ball into gaps with ease. His trademark cover drives, square cuts, and flicks through the leg side were on full display, showing that his skills and timing are as sharp as ever. The Pakistan bowlers had little to do but watch as Kohli effortlessly found the boundary and rotated the strike at will.

Kohli brought up his half-century in no time, and soon enough, he was on the brink of his 51st century in One-Day Internationals. As the ball reached the 43rd over, Kohli reached the landmark with a sublime cover drive that sent the ball racing to the boundary. The crowd erupted in celebration, acknowledging not only the quality of the knock but also the significance of the milestone. With this century, Kohli had once again cemented his place among the legends of the game, reaching 51 centuries in the 50-over format — a record few players have even come close to.

The 51st century was especially significant as it came at a crucial point in the game. India was in need of a solid total, and Kohli’s ability to anchor the innings in the middle overs set the platform for a strong finish. His unbeaten 118 runs helped India reach a commanding total of 340/6 in their allotted 50 overs, a total that would require a monumental effort from Pakistan’s batsmen to chase down. Kohli’s contribution was invaluable, as it was the foundation for the rest of India’s batting lineup to build upon.

When it came to defending the total, the Indian bowlers, led by Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami, made an early impact. Pakistan’s chase was never really on track, with wickets falling at regular intervals. India’s bowlers stuck to their plans and executed their deliveries with precision, ensuring that Pakistan could not get any momentum going. Bumrah’s trademark yorkers and Shami’s clever variations kept the Pakistani batsmen guessing, and the required run rate steadily climbed.

Pakistan’s batsmen struggled to build partnerships, with only a few individual scores standing out. Fakhar Zaman’s early dismissal and Babar Azam’s departure to a fine delivery from Shami left Pakistan’s chase in tatters. The pressure was always on the Pakistani batsmen, and India’s disciplined bowling attack never let up. By the time the last few overs came around, it was clear that Pakistan would fall short of the target. India wrapped up the match, securing a 70-run victory.

In the post-match presentation, Kohli reflected on his innings and the team’s performance. “It’s always special to score runs against Pakistan, but what matters most is the win. The team played brilliantly, and I’m just happy I was able to contribute to the total,” said Kohli, showing his typical humility despite achieving yet another career milestone.

The win over Pakistan was crucial for India in their quest to lift the Champions Trophy. With Kohli in top form, the team looks set for an exciting campaign ahead. His contribution with the bat once again highlighted his unparalleled consistency, and his 51st century was a symbol of his enduring greatness.

India’s victory in this contest sent a message to the other teams in the tournament: the team is hungry for success, and Kohli, even as he gets older, remains a key player in their pursuit of the trophy. His performance continues to inspire fans around the world, and his hunger for more runs shows no signs of slowing down.

For Pakistan, the defeat was disappointing, but they will have to regroup quickly and look ahead to their next matches in the tournament. Their inability to chase down a target as formidable as 340 highlighted the need for a stronger batting performance moving forward.

For Kohli, the road to 51 ODI centuries is just another step in his extraordinary career. With this performance against Pakistan, he has reaffirmed his place among the legends of the game, and fans can expect many more memorable innings from him in the years to come.