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On February 23, 2025, the Dubai International Cricket Stadium witnessed a historic moment in cricket as Virat Kohli led India to a commanding six-wicket victory over arch-rivals Pakistan in the Champions Trophy 2025 Group A clash. Beyond the emphatic win, Kohli’s unbeaten century propelled him past one of Sachin Tendulkar’s most cherished records, cementing his status as one of the game’s all-time greats.
India’s dominance over Pakistan
The stage was set for a high-octane encounter between two cricketing giants, in Dubai. Pakistan, batting first after winning the toss, posted a modest 241 in 49 overs, a total that never seemed threatening against India’s formidable batting lineup. Kuldeep Yadav’s spin wizardry (3/40) and disciplined bowling from Hardik Pandya and Axar Patel kept Pakistan’s scoring in check, despite a fighting 62 from Saud Shakeel.
Chasing 242, India stumbled early with captain Rohit Sharma falling for 20 runs. Enter Kohli, with the composure of a seasoned campaigner and the aggression of a modern-day maestro, the former India skipper stitched together an unbeaten 100 off 111 balls. His knock, supported by Shreyas Iyer’s fluent 56, ensured India chased down the target with 45 balls to spare. The victory wasn’t just a win—it was a statement of intent from the Men in Blue in a tournament they’re determined to reclaim.
Virat Kohli breaks Sachin Tendulkar’s record
The night belonged to Kohli for more than just the win. During the game, Kohli became the fastest batter to reach 14,000 ODI runs, achieving the feat in just 287 innings. This shattered Tendulkar’s previous record of 350 innings, a mark that had stood as a testament to the Master Blaster’s longevity and consistency. Kohli, now with 14,085 runs (as of this match), joins Tendulkar (18,426) and Kumar Sangakkara (14,234) as the only batters in ODI history to breach the 14,000-run barrier.
Also READ: Twitter reactions: Virat Kohli’s masterful 51st ODI century powers India to a dominant win over Pakistan in the Champions Trophy 2025
India eye another ICC trophy
India’s victory propelled them to the top of Group A with four points from two matches, virtually securing their semifinal berth. For Pakistan, the loss leaves them teetering on the edge of elimination. Hosting the tournament, Pakistan now face a do-or-die clash against Bangladesh on February 27, needing a win and favorable results elsewhere to stay alive.
Meanwhile, Kohli’s form is a massive boost for India, who last won the Champions Trophy in 2013 under MS Dhoni. With a balanced squad featuring Kuldeep’s guile, Iyer’s flair, and a rejuvenated Kohli, India now eye to lift the trophy on March 9.
