AHMEDABAD, Aug. 10 -- Ninety-four thousand people watched Virat Kohli walk to the crease with India needing 86 runs to beat Pakistan, the chase already controlled, the result no longer in doubt. He finished 122 not out off 131 balls. India reached 192 for 3 in 30.3 overs, with 62 balls to spare, having beaten Pakistan in a World Cup match for the eighth consecutive time.

The game that was supposed to be different turned out to confirm everything that has defined this fixture in global tournaments since 1992.

Pakistan had set 191. It was a total that reflected a batting innings of controlled damage - Babar Azam's 50 the steadiest contribution, his team's 191 all out in 42.5 overs a consequence of Bumrah's 2 for 19 and India's ground fiel...