Champions Trophy 2025: Axar Patel admits to doing run maths to help Virat Kohli score century vs Pakistan

TOI Sports Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Updated: Feb 24, 2025, 15:04 IST

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As Virat Kohli neared a century against Pakistan, Axar Patel focused on ensuring he didn't edge the ball, helping Kohli achieve his milestone. Skipper Rohit Sharma cheekily suggested Kohli finish with a six, but he elegantly drove to the boundary for his hundred. India's dominant wins over Bangladesh and Pakistan have almost secured their Champions Trophy semifinals spot.

Champions Trophy 2025: Axar Patel admits to doing run maths to help Virat Kohli score century vs Pakistan

Virat Kohli (L) celebrates his century with Axar Patel (R) after scoring the winning runs during the ICC Champions Trophy match between India and Pakistan in Dubai. (PTI)

During India's match against Pakistan in Dubai on Sunday, Axar Patel found himself calculating runs as Virat Kohli approached his century.
Patel joined Kohli at the crease when India needed 19 runs to win, with Kohli batting on 86.
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"At the end, actually main bhi thoda maths kar raha tha unke hundred ke liye (Even I was doing the math for his hundred towards the end). I was hoping that I don't edge the ball or something. So, it was quite fun," Axar said in video posted by ICC.

The situation became more complex when Shaheen Afridi bowled three wides in the 42nd over.

The crowd expressed their displeasure when Axar took a single, as they wanted Kohli to maintain strike.
With just two runs needed for victory and Kohli on 96, captain Rohit Sharma signalled for him to finish with a six.
Kohli responded by hitting an elegant boundary to complete his century instead of attempting a six.
"It was the first time I got to watch a high-pressure game from the dressing room where Virat bhaiya scored a century. I had a lot of fun, and the way he was running between the wickets after fielding for 50 overs is a testament to his fitness," Axar added.
India's position in the Champions Trophy semifinals looks secure following their convincing victories over Bangladesh and Pakistan.

Stay updated with the latest sports news and find out how to watch the ICC Champions Trophy live in Canada and the USA. Don’t miss the highly anticipated India vs Pakistan and India vs New Zealand clashes. Check the live cricket scores here.

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