Zadran, Duckett, Kohli, Chakravarthy and Inglis (Source: @ICC/X.com)
We are done with the group stage of the ongoing Champions Trophy 2025, happening in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This edition is proving to be one of the finest, with some top performances coming from high-quality players.
Where some have performed with the bat, others have given their best with the ball, leading their sides to victories in crucial games. These players have helped their sides and themselves etch their names in the history books of the Champions Trophy. Therefore, further reviewing this, we will now look at the top five best performances from the group stage of this edition of the Champions Trophy 2025.
5. Josh Inglis - 120* (86) vs England
At number five on this list is Australia's Josh Inglis, who played a remarkable 120-run unbeaten knock against England in Lahore. This was one of the classiest games in the Champions Trophy as Australia chased down 352 in under 48 overs after England batted brilliantly.
Inglis, who came in at number five, took only 77 deliveries for his hundred. Meanwhile, he also smashed eight fours and six sixes in his knock to help his side to victory in a game that proved pivotal for Australia, as the rest of their two matches ended up in washouts.
The Aussies were feeling the heat in this game until Inglis arrived at the crease and turned the fortunes in his side's favour with an unbelievable knock that suddenly changed the momentum. Inglis batted 86 deliveries for his 120-run knock while striking at 139.53.
4. Varun Chakravarthy - 5/42 (10) vs New Zealand
Varun Chakravarthy has only played in one game so far in the ongoing Champions Trophy but turned out to be the star with a five-wicket haul against New Zealand in the final group stage match of the Champions Trophy 2025.
The game, which happened in Dubai, saw India putting up 249 on the board against the BlackCaps. In reply, the Kiwis, who started decently, lost their way in the middle as Chakravarthy put them in turmoil by claiming five wickets for 42 runs in his 10-over spell.
The mystery spinner, who was economical and lethal with the ball, proved highly effective in Dubai, where the ball kept low and slow. His top-class performance helped India rock New Zealand and end the group stage at the top of their table.
3. Virat Kohli - 100* (111) vs Pakistan
Number three in this list features a man with one of the finest stroke plays ever. India's Virat Kohli, who played a magnificent 100* run knock against Pakistan in Dubai, is a force to be reckoned with. Pakistan batted first and scored 241 on the board.
In reply, Kohli, who came in at one down, played 111 deliveries for his 100-run unbeaten knock to add to the misery of the Pakistani bowlers. The right-hander proved unstoppable with seven boundaries as he batted till the end to finish the game, helping India complete their victory in 42.3 overs.
The Men in Blue were exceptional in the game thanks to Kohli, who again proved to be the master chaser in a game that was highly crucial in this edition or anytime India plays Pakistan.
2. Ben Duckett - 165 (143) vs Australia
England's Ben Duckett scored 227 runs in three matches for his side in the Champions Trophy 2025 and is currently the highest run-scorer in the tournament. The left-hander played his finest knocks against Australia in the same game Inglis scored the century.
England, on the back of Duckett, posted 351 on the board for losing eight wickets in their respective 50 overs as the opener battled his way through 143 deliveries for his 165-run knock. On the way, he smashed 17 fours and three sixes while batting at a strike rate of 115.38.
Although England lost that game, Duckett's knock proved to be the influential point in this edition. There have not been many knocks in Champions Trophy history as exemplifying as 165, which was briefly at the top of the list of the best innings in the tournament.
1. Ibrahim Zadran - 177 (146) vs England
Bettering Duckett's knock in the tournament was Afghanistan's Ibrahim Zadran, who batted marvellously well to record an unbelievable 177-run knock against England in the 8th match of the Champions Trophy 2025.
Afghanistan, who batted first against England, scored 325 on the board after 50 overs, as Zadran put up a gigantic 177 after his name from 146 deliveries. Getting past Duckett's highest score, Zadran is the now current record holder in the tournament. His knock included 12 boundaries and six gigantic maximums, while he struck runs at an outstanding 121.23.
On the back of Zadran's once-in-a-lifetime knock, Afghanistan defeated England in a nerve-wracking thriller by just eight runs in the final over, defending 326 in one of the finest games in history as they knocked England out of the tournament.
Zadran scored his first 50 off 65 deliveries and then reached his 100 off 106 deliveries, which was later bettered by his 150 off just 134 deliveries, indicating that he got better as he spent more time on the crease. This innings by Zadran will be remembered for the ages, as outdoing 177 will take considerable time and effort.
.jpg?type=mq?im=Resize=(250, 250) "Arnav Chopra")
