In the biggest match of the year, with questions looming over his longevity, Virat Kohli silenced all doubts with a stunning century, proving that the little he may have lost over the years wouldn’t define him. He reached the 14,000-run milestone in ODIs, notched up his 51st ODI hundred, and guided India to a dominant win that sealed their semi-final berth while leaving Pakistan hanging by a thread for Champions Trophy qualification.
India entered the match as clear favourites and lived up to the billing, restricting Pakistan to 241 with Hardik Pandya delivering a performance that should almost be illegal—dismissing Pakistan’s key batters while contributing with his all-round skills. Kuldeep Yadav was the x-factor, using his rare left-arm wrist spin to bamboozle Pakistan’s batters and snuff out any hopes of a late resurgence.
Pakistan had their moments—Shaheen Afridi’s searing yorker to uproot Rohit Sharma’s stumps, Abrar Ahmed’s sensational carrom ball to dismiss a rampaging Shubman Gill—but they failed to capitalise on them. From a promising 151-2 in the 34th over, Pakistan collapsed to 241 all out, unable to withstand the pressure created by India’s disciplined attack, with Harshit Rana’s deceptive slower balls proving unplayable.
The final moments of the match turned into a personal milestone chase for Kohli. With 12 runs needed for both India’s victory and his century, the crowd roared his name. Axar Patel even turned down an easy two to ensure Kohli got his moment. Pakistan had long faded from the contest. Kohli, always in control, reached his century off the final ball and turned to the dressing room with a message: “I told you. Relax.” That was how easy it was. That was how inevitable he was.
