Pakistan vs India, 5th Match, Group A at Dubai, Champions Trophy, Feb 23 2025 - Match Result

A predictable result, a familiar game but it was a nice reunion between India and Pakistan. Their journeys ahead seem to be heading in opposite directions. Pakistan are banking on hope, India aren't mathematically through to the semi-finals but are nearly there. Lots of content coming from the game today, do check it out. For now, it's goodbye from me, Ekanth, my co-commentator Deivarayan Muthu, and our scorers, Thilak Rama and M Venkat Raghav.

Rohit Sharma: We started superbly with the ball. We knew the wicket could get slower but backed our experienced batters to go out there and get 240. Credit goes to Kuldeep, Axar, Jadeja who all have played a lot. Rizwan and Saud stitched a good stand, was important not to let the game drift. Not to forget how Shami, Hardik, Harshit bowled as well. It was a good performance from the entire unit. The boys understand what kind of job is required out of them. It's tricky at times because not all will get a bowl. I try to figure out who's creating the most problems to the batters and make decisions. Virat loves representing the country, doing what he does the best, which is what he did today. People sitting inside the dressing room aren't surprised with what he did. Hamstring's okay at the moment.

Mohammad Rizwan: We won the toss but didn't get the benefit. We wanted to get 280 but their bowlers did really well in the middle overs. When Saud and I were batting, we wanted to go deep. But our shot selection was bad and lost wickets, which is why we were kept to 240. Abrar gave us the wicket, but Kohli and Gill took the game far from us. We must improve our fielding. We made a lot of mistakes this match, they've repeated, hope to work on them going forward.

Sanjay: "@Ekanth kuldeep being MOTM on "cricketing grounds" for one top order wicket and two of no 8/9s? Hardik probably was the closest to the call if not Virat."

Chuvi : "Feel Kuldeep should have been the POTM ! Not that Virat didn't deserve it , bowlers need / deserve the rewards!" Fair point on cricketing grounds, but wouldn't go around saying that in the streets

Sasikumar: "72 runs of singles and twos in Kohli's knock. Shows the fitness level."

Second POTM for Virat Kohli in Champions Trophy, the other being vs West Indies in 2009, informs Namooh Shah from our stats team

Virat Kohli, POTM: It feels to be good to bat in that manner in an important game, where a spot for semis was there to be taken, after Rohit fell. My job was clear - to control the middle overs, not take risks against spinners and take on pacers. I was happy with the template, it's how I play in ODIs. I have a decent understanding of my game. It's about keeping the outside noise away, take care of my energy levels and thoughts. It's easy for me to get pulled into expectations and frenzy around games like these. I kept telling myself I'll give my 100% while fielding. It's why I take pride in it. When you put your head down and go about your work, things work out. Clarity is important, when there is pace on the ball you have to get scoring. Shubman and Shreyas have been excellent. Everyone's got a decent knock in these conditions, that'll augur well in the coming matches. At 36, a week off is very good. It takes a lot out of me to put in that much effort.

Just like how Kohli chased this down perfectly, over in Kolkata, Mohun Bagan mounted a perfect title defence in the Indian Super League. And they broke plenty of records along the way.

Sens: "Got the nervy finish you expect from INDvsPAK match" lol

Neevan: "Thank you Axar for letting Kohli get to his 100!"

Sudeep: "Kohli celebrated the win "SKY" way..."

A great day for India's batters. They got off to a good start despite Rohit's charge being cut short by a magnificent Shaheen yorker. Gill and Kohli played firm drives and jabs with complete control to push the score along in the first ten. Abrar, who was Pakistan's best bowler of the day, denied Gill a fifty; but Shreyas was assured and Kohli continued scoring freely. There were a couple of chances. Inside edges, a couple of dropped catches, which Pakistan will be disappointed about. India taking on Pakistan's strike bowlers in Shaheen and Rauf helped. Naseem bowled well but didn't strike. In the end, when Shreyas and Hardik got going, the only worry was if Kohli couldn't get to the hundred. Wasn't to be the case. A near-perfect ton for India's No. 3 sealed the win.

8:18pm: India cruise home and sit pretty at the top of the table. Pakistan are on the brink, they need other results to go their way. More on that later, but for now, it's just a case of rejoicing Kohli's ton. He has a laugh and a hug with Rohit, says thank you to the camera before raising his bat to the crowd before walking up the stairs.

96*

Four to win, five for the hundred. Can you confect more excitement?!

H. Prasanna : "Wow what a finish?"

94*. Chants of "We want Sixer" induced by the DJ. Crowd happy to play along

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