India and Pakistan are set for a thrilling Champions Trophy 2025 clash on February 23 in Dubai. Pakistan, after a crushing 60-run defeat to New Zealand, faces a do-or-die situation. India, with a strong win against Bangladesh, seeks to continue its dominance.
- Virat Kohli is a key player in high-pressure games.
- Abrar Ahmed’s leg-spin could be a major threat to Kohli.
- Kohli has struggled against leg-spinners recently.
Why Is Virat Kohli Important For India?
Virat Kohli has always performed in big matches, especially against Pakistan. He has a strong 52.1 batting average in 16 ODI innings against them. His ability to anchor at No. 3 after Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill makes him crucial for India’s batting lineup.
Kohli’s strike rate of 100.3 against Pakistan in ODIs shows his attacking approach. In Champions Trophy matches, he boasts an average of 78.7 and a strike rate of 90.2, making him India’s key batter to watch.
Virat Kohli vs Abrar Ahmed
Kohli has never faced Abrar Ahmed in an international game. However, Abrar’s recent bowling performances suggest he could be a major challenge. His ability to turn the ball sharply could trouble Kohli, who has shown weakness against quality leg-spin in recent matches.
Abrar Ahmed’s ODI Stats:
Abrar’s recent 2-41 and 4-27 figures in Tests show his growing confidence. If he maintains his rhythm, he could create problems for Kohli in the middle overs.
| Criterion | Data |
|---|---|
| ODI | 8 |
| Wickets | 14 |
| Economy Rate | 4.94 |
| Strike Rate | 32.5 |
| Best Figure | 4/33 |
Why Abrar Ahmed Could Trouble Virat Kohli? Kohli has struggled against leg-spinners in ODIs. His overall record against them is solid, but his 2024-25 stats show a clear weakness.
| Phase | Runs | Balls | Dismissals | Average | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overalls | 1,351 | 1,325 | 22 | 61.4 | 102.0 |
| 2024-25 | 26 | 40 | 4 | 6.5 | 65.0 |
Virat Kohli vs Leg-Spinners in ODIs:
During India’s ODI series against England, Adil Rashid dismissed Kohli twice, exposing his struggle to read variations. In the Champions Trophy opener, Rishad Hossain from Bangladesh also dismissed him, increasing concerns about his weakness against leg-spin.
How Pakistan Can Use Abrar Ahmed Against Kohli?
- Early introduction: Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan might bring in Abrar early to exploit Kohli’s vulnerability.
- Variation in spin: Abrar’s unpredictable deliveries could force Kohli into mistakes.
- Building pressure: If Abrar maintains a tight line, Kohli might be forced into risky shots.
Virat Kohli remains India’s biggest match-winner, but his weakness against leg-spin makes Abrar Ahmed a real threat. If Pakistan uses him smartly, they could put India under pressure early in the game. The battle between Kohli and Abrar will be a key factor in deciding the match’s outcome.
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ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Matches
Pakistan vs New Zealand - 1st Match, Group A | Bangladesh vs India - 2nd Match, Group A | Afghanistan vs South Africa - 3rd Match, Group B | Australia vs England - 4th Match, Group B | Pakistan vs India - 5th Match, Group A | Bangladesh vs New Zealand - 6th Match, Group A | Australia vs South Africa - 7th Match, Group B | Afghanistan vs England - 8th Match, Group B | Pakistan vs Bangladesh - 9th Match, Group A | Afghanistan vs Australia - 10th Match, Group B | England vs South Africa - 11th Match, Group B | New Zealand vs India - 12th Match, Group A | TBA vs TBA, 1st Semi-Final | TBA vs TBA, 2nd Semi-Final | TBA vs TBA, Final |
ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Teams
PAKISTAN | NEW ZEALAND | BANGLADESH | INDIA | AFGHANISTAN | SOUTH AFRICA | AUSTRALIA | ENGLAND
