Shoaib Akhtar hails Virat Kohli’s century as India outplays Pakistan in champions trophy 2025

In a thrilling clash at the 2025 Champions Trophy, Virat Kohli delivered yet another masterclass, leading India to a commanding six-wicket victory over Pakistan in Dubai. This crucial win secured India's spot in the tournament semifinals, and Kohli's unbeaten century played a pivotal role in the triumph. His 51st career century and fourth against Pakistan were nothing short of spectacular, further cementing his legacy as one of cricket's greatest players.

Kohli’s perfectly timed knock takes India to semifinals

Facing a tough challenge against Pakistan, Kohli's approach to his innings was calm, composed, and highly efficient. His performance in this high-pressure match demonstrated not just his immense skill but also his ability to rise to the occasion. Kohli's century, sealed with the winning runs, was a testament to his enduring class and consistency. This iconic knock left his critics in awe, silencing any doubts about his form and reaffirming his place at the top of world cricket.

Cricket legends praise Kohli’s performance

Following Kohli's outstanding innings, cricket legends showered him with praise. India’s cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar tweeted: “A perfect ending to the most awaited match. A real knockout! Team India Superb knocks by @imVkohli, @ShreyasIyer15, and @ShubmanGill, and wonderful bowling by our bowlers especially @imkuldeep18 and @hardikpandya7!” Tendulkar's appreciation highlighted the team effort, with Kohli's innings taking center stage. Sourav Ganguly, former India captain, also praised the team’s dominance. He tweeted, “Expected win for India... far superior team with far superior intent with bat and ball... super stuff from Kohli, Gill, and Shreyas, and the bowling @bcci.”

Shoaib Akhtar predicts Kohli’s future glory

Former Pakistan cricketer Shoaib Akhtar, who had predicted Kohli's return to form, shared his admiration for the Indian captain. “If you tell Virat Kohli he’s going to play against Pakistan, he will come fully prepared and score a century. Hats off to him, he’s like a superstar, a modern-day great,” Akhtar said. He further emphasized that Kohli’s consistency had brought him closer to achieving Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 100 international centuries, a feat Kohli is only 19 centuries away from achieving.

Rizwan’s admiration for Kohli’s hard work

Pakistan’s captain Mohammad Rizwan, too, acknowledged Kohli’s remarkable effort. “Mai Virat Kohli ki mehnat se hairan hu,” said Rizwan, expressing his admiration for Kohli’s fitness and perseverance. He noted that despite widespread criticism of Kohli's form before the match, the Indian star emerged victorious, scoring runs effortlessly and securing the Man of the Match award. Virat Kohli’s incredible performance against Pakistan in the 2025 Champions Trophy not only secured a crucial win for India but also showcased his unparalleled work ethic and passion for the game. His critics were silenced as he once again proved why he is one of the most dominant players in the world. With such a masterful display, Kohli is well on his way to achieving greater feats in the world of cricket.