Eden Gardens, Kolkata – February 23, 2025
Eden Gardens, Kolkata – February 23, 2025
In one of the most anticipated encounters in cricket history, India vs Pakistan delivered an electrifying contest at the iconic Eden Gardens, leaving fans on the edge of their seats until the final ball.
A Tense Start
After winning the toss, Pakistan elected to bat, setting the stage for a high-pressure showdown. The Pakistani innings was anchored by a composed 82 from Babar Azam, while crucial contributions from the middle order ensured a competitive total of 255/8 in their 50 overs. Despite a relentless Indian bowling attack, Pakistan managed to keep the scoreboard ticking, raising the stakes for the home side.
India’s Gritty Chase
In reply, India faced early setbacks as key wickets fell at critical moments. However, a resilient partnership between Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma gradually shifted the momentum. Kohli, playing a captain’s knock under pressure, scored a brilliant 75 off 50 balls, while Rohit Sharma’s explosive batting provided the much-needed impetus. With India teetering at 247/6 in the 48th over, the match had fans holding their breath.
The Nail-Biting Finale
The climax came in the final over with India needing 8 runs to clinch victory. In a display of nerves of steel, Hardik Pandya delivered a match-winning boundary in the penultimate ball, pushing India over the line and securing a stunning win by 4 wickets. The dramatic finish not only ignited celebrations in the stands but also set social media abuzz with praises for both teams’ valiant efforts.
Aftermath and Reactions
Cricket pundits hailed the match as a masterclass in strategy and execution. “This is what the India-Pakistan rivalry is all about – high stakes, incredible talent, and moments that will be remembered for generations,” remarked a leading sports analyst. The win has further intensified the historic rivalry, with both teams gearing up for the next chapter in their storied contest.
Chasing a target of 242, India started off on a strong note with Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill playing their shots. Shaheen Shah Afridi took the wicket of captain Rohit Sharma with the score at 31. Gill and Virat Kohli joined the act and added 69 runs for the second wicket. Gill was dismissed for 46.
Kohli was joined by Shreyas Iyer and they took the Pakistan bowling by the scruff of the neck and played splendidly and took India on course of win. Shreyas Iyer was dimissed for a brilliant 56.
It was left to Virat Kohli who played brilliantly and completed his 51st ODI century and took India to a six-wicket win over Pakistan. Interestingly this is Virat Kohli first ICC Champions Trophy century.
As the dust settles on this memorable encounter, the cricketing world looks forward to more thrilling contests between these two cricketing giants. For now, fans will relive the excitement of a game that showcased the very best of competitive spirit and sportsmanship.
Stay tuned for more updates and expert analysis on this epic rivalry!
Read for more : https://www.thehindu.com/sport/cricket/champions-trophy-india-vs-pakistan-live-updates-february-23-2025/article69254130.ece
