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Cricket is a crew sport determined by particular person battles. So, listed here are our high battles to be careful for as India face Pakistan of their second match of the Champions Trophy 2025.

(From left) Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Shaheen Shah Afridi (PTI Picture)
India vs Pakistan – it’s been known as ‘Mom of All Battles’. One other chapter in one of many sport’s best rivalries will probably be added this Sunday within the desert when Rohit Sharma and Mohammad Rizwan lead their troops out on the Dubai Worldwide Cricket Stadium for a Group A Champions Trophy conflict.
There’s loads of historical past, grudge and private rivalries between these two groups. Forward of their newest on-field conflict, right here’s a have a look at the important thing battles that might outline the blockbuster contest.
Virat Kohli vs Haris Rauf/Abrar Ahmed
Each time Kohli comes nose to nose with Rauf, the imagery of the India batting icon hitting that iconic six through the 2022 T20 World Cup in Melbourne will probably be refreshed. Due to that shot, there on-field face-offs are eagerly awaited. The 2 have principally clashed in T20Is with Kohli taking him for 42 runs off 32 deliveries unfold throughout 4 innings. In ODIs, Kohli has two runs off his 5 deliveries in two innings and hasn’t been dismissed by the right-arm pacer but. Rauf will hope to disturb the Indian ace along with his excessive tempo and hope to take advantage of his weak spot in opposition to the surface off deliveries.
Kohli’s struggles in opposition to the legspinners could have Pakistan’s Abrar salivating and it’s doubtless that Mohammad Rizwan might pit the 26-year-old as quickly as the previous India captain walks out to bat in Dubai. Even in opposition to Bangladesh, Kohli, after getting the beginning, misplaced his wicket to leggie Rishad Hossain. The batting famous person although, as soon as set, has the propensity to make it depend and in opposition to Pakistan, he averages a wonderful 52.15 in 16 innings.
Rohit Sharma vs Shaheen Shah Afridi
Afridi’s means to generate swing with the brand new ball makes him a harmful prospect for India’s top-order. The final time India confronted Pakistan in a Champions Trophy match, a sure left-arm pacer going by the identify of Mohammad Amir inflicted lasting injury with the brand new ball. Rohit has scored 48 runs off Shaheen’s 56 deliveries in 4 ODI innings and has been dismissed twice. Coping with the Pakistan’s left-arm fast’s opening spell will probably be key for India’s top-order.
Babar Azam vs Kuldeep Yadav
Keep in mind 2019 World Cup? Keep in mind Kuldeep’s peach of a supply to wash up Babar? Kuldeep has obtained the higher of Pakistan’s finest batter twice in 4 innings whereas conceding simply 28 runs in 52 deliveries. That’s the stranglehold the India left-arm spinner has over the previous Pakistan captain. Will Kuldeep prolong his dominance over Babar?
Shubman Gill vs Naseem Shah
Proper-arm pacer Naseem has been one among Pakistan’s key performers. Towards New Zealand, in his first spell, he accounted for his or her finest batter Kane Williamson with a wonderful supply. The in-form India opener Gill will pay attention to the influence Shah can have and subsequently, must be just a little cautious early on. Gill has to this point confronted 17 deliveries from Shah in two ODIs and scored 11 runs off them with out getting dismissed.
Mohammed Shami vs Mohammad Rizwan
Rizwan has the aptitude to drop anchor and bat for lengthy. Having been dismissed cheaply in Pakistan’s event opener, he will probably be itching to bounce again and make it depend in a do-or-die contest in opposition to his crew’s arch-rivals. Rizwan although doesn’t have a superb document in opposition to India in ODIs – he has 51 runs off 74 deliveries in two innings.
Shami will probably be hoping to see the again of Pakistan captain early on. The 2 haven’t confronted one another but in ODIs.
Shami has made a wonderful begin to the event with a five-for in opposition to Bangladesh. He has to date taken 5 wickets in three ODIs in opposition to Pakistan – 4 of them on the 2015 ODI World Cup Pool B conflict in Adelaide.
- Location :
Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE)