India comfortably beat the hosts and defending champions Pakistan in the Group A match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Although India comfortably chased down the target, the game still ended in a thrilling way in other view, as the Indian fans were hoping for Virat Kohli's deserving 51st ODI century and 82nd international hundred. From the dressing room, Indian captain Rohit Sharma encouraged the former Indian captain Kohli to complete the match with his hundred. 

Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan chose to bat first. However, Pakistan batters failed to challenge the Indian bowlers, while the Indian fielders supported the bowlers well. Ultimately, Pakistan were all out for 241 runs in 49.4 overs. Only Saud Shakeel (62), captain Rizwan (46), and Khushdil Shah (38) brought some challenging batting performances for the Men in Green. Among the Indian bowlers, Kuldeep Yadav (3/40) and Hardik Pandya (2/31) managed to take more than one wicket. 

India comfortably chased the 242-run target

Although the pitch was slower, Indian batters were comfortable, and Pakistan were always short of at least a regular spinner. Former Indian captain Virat Kohli, who already recorded the most ODI catches for India and the fastest 14000 ODI runs in the match, showed his form back with the bat against his favourite opponents by guiding the two-time Champions Trophy winners comfortably. Apart from a few uncomfortable moments with the bat in the early of the innings, Kohli was in complete control in the innings. 

The right-handed batter Virat Kohli completed his half-century in 62 balls and was approaching his comeback century nicely. In the last moment of the match, the required run and Kohli's distance from the century was running side by side. While his partner Axar Patel was busy to secure Kohli's century, the former Indian captain wasn't seen in any special thought for that century. In the final moment of the chasing, India were only two runs away from victory, while Kohli needed four runs to complete his 51st ODI century. 

Rohit Sharma wanted a sixer from Virat Kohli to complete chasing with century

From the dressing room, Indian captain Rohit Sharma laughingly made the gesture towards Kohli to complete this match with a sixer as it would help Kohli to end the match with a century.

rohit saying 'six maar' 😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/RLOmy9Zn97

— T. (@iklamhaa) February 23, 2025

Virat Kohli had no doubt

However, Kohli was confident enough and comfortably hit a four over extra cover after coming down the track and ended the game with his century. After finishing the game, Kohli happily showed the dressing room that he was confident enough to secure his century and finish the game as well. Kohli ended the game with 100 not out off 111 balls with seven fours. 

𝗞𝗢𝗛𝗟𝗜 𝗙𝗜𝗡𝗜𝗦𝗛𝗘𝗦 𝗢𝗙𝗙 𝗜𝗡 𝗦𝗧𝗬𝗟𝗘! 💯@imVkohli takes #TeamIndia over the line, bringing his first-ever hundred in the #ChampionsTrophy, his 51st in ODIs, and 82nd across formats. 🙌

Take a bow, KING! 👑#ChampionsTrophyOnJioStar 👉 #INDvPAK | LIVE NOW on Star… pic.twitter.com/pzUmDiAtyp

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) February 23, 2025