October 15, 2025
In a high-octane clash at the Champions Trophy 2025, India and Pakistan faced off in a thrilling encounter that kept fans on the edge of their seats. The match, played at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), saw India dominating Pakistan with a stellar bowling performance. Kuldeep Yadav, India’s star spinner, nearly achieved a hat-trick but fell just short, leaving Pakistan reeling at 7 wickets down.
The day began with Pakistan winning the toss and opting to bat first. Their decision seemed risky, given the overcast conditions and India’s strong bowling attack. The Pakistani openers, Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, started cautiously. However, the Indian pacers, led by Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, kept the pressure on. Bumrah struck early, dismissing Rizwan for just 12 runs in the 6th over.
As the powerplay ended, Pakistan was struggling at 45/1. The introduction of spin in the 11th over changed the game completely. Kuldeep Yadav, India’s left-arm wrist-spinner, was brought into the attack. He immediately made an impact, trapping Babar Azam LBW for 28 runs. The Pakistani captain’s dismissal was a huge blow, as he was looking set for a big score.
Kuldeep didn’t stop there. In his very next over, he clean-bowled Fakhar Zaman with a beautiful googly. The ball turned sharply, leaving Zaman clueless. With two wickets in two overs, Kuldeep was on fire. The crowd erupted as he came in to bowl his third over, with a hat-trick on the line.
The hat-trick ball was a close call. Kuldeep bowled a perfect delivery to Iftikhar Ahmed, who managed to edge it just past the slip fielder. The Indian players and fans were left disappointed, but Kuldeep’s spell had already done significant damage. He finished his spell with figures of 3/28 in 8 overs, leaving Pakistan in deep trouble at 95/5.
Pakistan’s middle order tried to rebuild, but the Indian bowlers were relentless. Hardik Pandya chipped in with a crucial wicket, dismissing Shadab Khan for 15. Ravindra Jadeja also joined the party, removing Mohammad Nawaz for 10. By the 35th over, Pakistan was 7 wickets down, with the scoreboard reading 145.
The tailenders tried to add some runs, but the Indian bowlers were too good. Bumrah returned to pick up his second wicket, while Siraj cleaned up the last batsman. Pakistan was eventually bowled out for 182 in 46.3 overs. It was a below-par total, considering the batting-friendly conditions at the MCG.
India’s chase began confidently, with Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill opening the innings. The duo played sensibly, avoiding unnecessary risks. Rohit, in particular, looked in great touch, hitting a couple of boundaries early on. At the time of writing, India was 45/0 in 8 overs, needing 138 more runs to win.
The match has been a treat for cricket fans so far. Kuldeep Yadav’s spell was the highlight of the day, showcasing his ability to perform under pressure. Pakistan, on the other hand, will need a miracle to turn things around. Their bowlers must take early wickets to have any chance of defending this low total.
As the game progresses, all eyes will be on India’s batting lineup. Can they chase down the target comfortably, or will Pakistan’s bowlers stage a comeback? Stay tuned for more updates on this thrilling encounter between two cricketing giants.
Live Score Update: India 45/0 in 8 overs (Rohit Sharma 28, Shubman Gill 15*). Pakistan all out for 182 in 46.3 overs (Babar Azam 28, Kuldeep Yadav 3/28)
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