India beat New Zealand by four wickets in the final of the Champions Trophy on Sunday in Dubai.
Kohli silences doubters
Virat Kohli silenced the critics over his poor form in Test cricket with an unbeaten 100 against arch-rivals Pakistan.
Kohli took time to get into the groove on a sluggish Dubai pitch to anchor India’s chase of 242 with key stands.
Indias Virat Kohli in action in ICC Mens Champions Trophy against Pakistan in Dubai International Stadium, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, February 23, 2025. — Reuters
India’s Virat Kohli in action in ICC Men’s Champions Trophy against Pakistan in Dubai International Stadium, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, February 23, 2025. — Reuters
His mastery of the conditions, combined with his ability to rotate the strike, took India to victory with six wickets and 45 balls to spare.
Kohli was also India’s saviour in the semi-final against Australia when his 84 steered another successful chase.
Opposition skipper Steve Smith called the 36-year-old “arguably the best chaser the game has seen”.
Pakistan party flops
Pakistan hosted a major cricket event for the first time in three decades and excitement there was sky-high, despite India’s refusal to tour and instead play all their matches in Dubai.
But the Pakistan team’s poor showing on the field deflated the spirits of the cricket-crazy nation with successive losses to New Zealand and India.
