ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Virat Kohli injured ahead of IND vs PAK match?

Virat Kohli, the star batter of the Indian cricket team, was seen with an ice pack on his left leg a day before the highly anticipated India-Pakistan clash in the Champions Trophy 2025 in Dubai. Kohli, who has been struggling with his form in recent matches, was spotted arriving at the practice session 2-3 hours earlier than scheduled, preparing to face spinners in the nets. Despite his early arrival, concerns started to mount among fans when journalists posted images of him sitting in the dressing room with an ice pack on his leg following his batting session. These images quickly went viral on social media, with Indian cricket fans expressing their worries ahead of the crucial match. Kohli, who is a key player for India, has had his share of injury struggles, including missing the first ODI against England in Nagpur due to a knee injury.

The sight of him icing his leg raised further questions about his fitness and whether he would be fully ready to take on Pakistan in what is expected to be a high-stakes encounter. However, despite the concerns, the team management has yet to issue an official statement on Kohli's condition, leaving fans anxiously awaiting updates. The Indian team's chances in the clash could heavily rely on Kohli's performance, and his fitness will remain a topic of intense scrutiny as the match approaches.

Virat Kohli spotted with an ice pack on his left leg after India’s practice session ahead of the high-voltage clash against Pakistan. A concern or just routine recovery? #INDvPAK #ViratKohli #CT2025 pic.twitter.com/eSUSETB6FY

— Ankan Kar (@AnkanKar) February 22, 2025

Virat Kohli showed his determination a day before the high-stakes Champions Trophy clash against Pakistan by arriving at the ICC Academy two hours ahead of the scheduled practice session. The Indian star took the extra time to work on his game, focusing on ironing out his issues against spin. Kohli, known for his intense preparation, left no stone unturned in ensuring that he was fully ready for the marquee encounter. This early arrival demonstrated his commitment to getting back to his best, especially with the high expectations surrounding his performance in the much-anticipated match against Pakistan. Despite recent struggles with form, Kohli's proactive approach to preparation highlighted his dedication and mental toughness, setting the tone for the crucial match ahead. Fans and experts alike will be hoping that this extra effort pays off and the batting maestro delivers when it matters most.

Virat Kohli, who has struggled against spin in recent ODIs, was dismissed by leg-spinner Rishad Hossain in India’s opening Champions Trophy match against Bangladesh. It marked his sixth consecutive dismissal to spinners in ODIs. Kohli’s vulnerability was evident as he was caught at backward point while attempting to cut Hossain. This follows a similar dismissal by England’s Adil Rashid during their recent series. Ahead of the high-octane clash against Pakistan, Kohli focused on addressing his issues with spin, arriving early for training and facing a variety of spin bowlers, including leg-break and off-spin bowlers.

Pakistan's spin attack includes part-time left-arm spinner Khushdil Shah and off-spinner Salman Agha, but India’s batters are expected to feel confident facing them. The real challenge, however, lies in tackling Pakistan’s pace trio—Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Naseem Shah—who are under pressure after a lackluster performance against New Zealand.