February 22, 2025: As India prepares for its much-anticipated clash against arch-rivals Pakistan in the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy, all eyes will be on star players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Both have been crucial in India’s battles against Pakistan in the past, solidifying their legacies as all-time greats in world cricket.
The match, taking place on Sunday at the Dubai International Stadium, is set to be a high-stakes contest. Pakistan will aim to keep their title defense alive, while India hopes to almost secure a spot in the semifinals. This game also presents an opportunity for India to avenge their loss to Pakistan in the 2017 Champions Trophy Final, where Virat Kohli’s men fell short of winning the coveted ICC trophy.
In terms of statistics, Pakistan holds a 3-2 advantage over India in the Champions Trophy, with the most notable victory coming in the 2017 final, where Pakistan triumphed by 180 runs. This adds even more intrigue to Sunday’s contest, as fans from both sides of the border eagerly await a thrilling encounter.
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have an exceptional track record against Pakistan, and their performances will be vital to India’s chances of success. Rohit boasts an impressive 873 runs in 19 ODIs against Pakistan, including two centuries and eight fifties, with his highest score being 140 in the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup. Meanwhile, Virat has scored 678 runs in 16 ODIs against Pakistan, with three centuries and two fifties, and a best score of 183 in the 2012 Asia Cup.
Recent performances suggest that Rohit is in better form against Pakistan, with solid scores of 86, 56, and 140 in their last few encounters. On the other hand, Virat is searching for a return to form, with his recent scores against Pakistan being lower than expected, including an underwhelming 16 in the 2023 Cricket World Cup. However, history has shown that Virat tends to rise to the occasion when facing Pakistan, making him a dangerous player to watch.
Key moments in their India-Pakistan encounters have included Rohit’s classy 140 in the 2019 World Cup and Virat’s memorable 183 in the 2012 Asia Cup, which solidified his status as a “chase master.” Their respective performances have been crucial in India’s success against Pakistan, and the same will be expected in this high-pressure encounter.
Both players have been the backbone of India’s batting line-up in India-Pakistan clashes, and the team will be hoping for another match-winning display from the duo as they aim to secure a crucial victory in the 2023 ICC Champions Trophy.