India vs Pakistan Champions Trophy 2025: Virat Kohli Prepares for Big Clash

Image credits: Times of India

Indian superstar Virat Kohli has been working hard to overcome his poor form ahead of the highly anticipated match against Pakistan in the Champions Trophy 2025. Kohli, who has been struggling against spin bowlers, arrived 90 minutes early for practice at the ICC Cricket Academy in Dubai to fine-tune his skills. The 36-year-old batsman has been found vulnerable against spin in recent ODIs, and his early arrival for practice is a testament to his commitment to improving his game.

Kohli's hard work and dedication to the sport are well-known, and his decision to arrive early for practice is not surprising. The Indian batsman has been troubled by spin bowlers in recent matches, including his dismissal against leg-spinner Rishad Hossain in India's opening Champions Trophy game against Bangladesh. Kohli's wicket was caught at backward point while trying to cut Hossain, highlighting his struggles against spin. Former Indian cricketer-turned-commentator Sanjay Manjrekar feels that Kohli is trying too hard, while former Australia skipper Michael Clarke believes that Kohli is a big tournament player who will score big against Pakistan.

The match against Pakistan is a crucial one for India, and Kohli's performance will be closely watched. Pakistan has a strong pace attack, including Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Naseem Shah, who will look to exploit Kohli's weaknesses against spin. However, India also has a strong spin attack, with five spinners in the squad, including Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy. The wicket at the Dubai International Stadium is expected to be on the slower side, which could bring the Indian spinners into play. Spin bowling is likely to play a key role in the match, and Kohli's ability to handle the Pakistani spinners will be crucial to India's success.

The Indian team is sitting comfortably after their win over Bangladesh, while Pakistan finds themselves in a must-win situation. The pressure will be on Pakistan to perform, and India will look to capitalize on their opponents' weaknesses. The match is expected to be a closely contested one, with both teams having a strong chance of winning. Some of the key players to watch out for in the match include Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Babar Azam, who have all been in good form recently. The match will also feature some exciting fast bowling, with the likes of Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf looking to make an impact.

Here are some key statistics and schedules to look out for in the Champions Trophy 2025:

• Match scores: India won their opening match against Bangladesh, while Pakistan lost to New Zealand.
• Player statistics: Virat Kohli has scored 678 runs from 16 innings against Pakistan at an average of 52.15, including three centuries and two fifties.
• Tournament schedules: The Champions Trophy 2025 will feature eight teams competing in a round-robin format, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the semi-finals.
• Team rankings: India is currently ranked second in the ICC ODI rankings, while Pakistan is ranked sixth.

The match between India and Pakistan is expected to be a thrilling one, with both teams looking to make a statement in the Champions Trophy 2025. With Kohli's dedication to improving his game and the strong Indian spin attack, India will be looking to capitalize on their opponents' weaknesses and come out on top.