In what turned out to be a nerve-wracking semi-final, India secured a hard-fought victory over Australia to book their place in the final of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. Chasing a tricky target of 265, India rode on a masterful innings from Virat Kohli and a finishing flourish from KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya to clinch a four-wicket win at the Dubai International Stadium.
A Chase Masterminded by Virat Kohli
The chase began with India’s openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill looking to set the tone. However, Australia struck early as Ben Dwarshuis cleaned up Gill, who was looking to guide the ball towards third man but ended up dragging it onto his stumps. Rohit Sharma followed soon after, trapped LBW by Cooper Connolly for 28 runs. India had lost both their openers in quick succession, bringing Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer to the crease.
Kohli, known for his calmness under pressure, took his time to settle in before shifting gears. Iyer, on the other hand, played some elegant strokes but was eventually undone by a brilliant delivery from Adam Zampa after scoring 45 off 62 balls. The partnership of 91 runs between Kohli and Iyer steadied the ship for India, keeping them well in the hunt.
Axar Patel then joined Kohli at the crease but couldn’t last long, missing a pull shot to be bowled out, leaving India in a spot of bother. KL Rahul took charge from there and played a vital knock, complementing Kohli’s steady approach. However, just when Kohli seemed set to take India home, he fell for 84 while attempting to clear long-on, only to find the fielder.
Hardik Pandya’s Finishing Touch
With India needing quick runs, Hardik Pandya stepped up in a fashion that he has become famous for. Smashing sixes at will, Pandya shifted the momentum in India’s favor before falling for 28 off 24 balls. However, by the time he got out, he had already done enough damage to put India within touching distance of victory.
KL Rahul then ensured there were no further hiccups, playing calculated shots to take India over the line. His composed innings provided the finishing touches to a successful chase, and with a few boundaries in the last overs, he sealed the game for India.
Australia’s Innings: A Tale of Missed Opportunities
Earlier in the match, Australia opted to bat first after winning the toss. Their start was far from ideal as Mohammed Shami sent Cooper Connolly back to the pavilion for a duck. Travis Head, known for his ability to take the game away from opponents, looked dangerous after overcoming an early struggle. He raced to 39 before falling to Varun Chakravarthy’s clever wrong’un, which caught him off guard.
Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne tried to rebuild, adding a cautious 56-run stand before Ravindra Jadeja dismissed Labuschagne LBW. The wicket of Labuschagne was crucial as it opened the gates for India to tighten their grip on the game.
Josh Inglis showed some resistance but was eventually caught by Virat Kohli. Smith continued to hold fort, reaching a half-century, but his innings came to an end at 73 when he misjudged a full toss from Shami and was bowled. This dismissal proved costly for Australia, as Glenn Maxwell walked in and attempted to accelerate but was cleaned up by Axar Patel for just 7 runs.
Alex Carey was the only other Australian batsman who looked threatening, scoring a crucial fifty. However, his run-out, courtesy of a brilliant direct hit from Shreyas Iyer, further dented Australia’s hopes of reaching a formidable total. Australia’s lower order collapsed, and they were bowled out for 264 in 49.3 overs.
Bowling Heroes for India
India’s bowlers played a crucial role in restricting Australia to a below-par total. Mohammed Shami was the pick of the bowlers, finishing with figures of 3/48. His early breakthroughs and the dismissal of Steve Smith were instrumental in keeping Australia in check.
Varun Chakravarthy proved to be a game-changer with his spell, picking up key wickets, including that of Travis Head, who was looking in fine touch. Ravindra Jadeja was economical as always and managed to get the crucial wicket of Labuschagne.
The combined effort of India’s bowling attack ensured that the Australian batting lineup never really got going, and they fell short of what could have been a more challenging target.
Key Moments from the Match
- India lost Virat Kohli for 84 runs with under 50 runs needed, adding a slight twist to the chase.
- KL Rahul played a crucial role in finishing the game, displaying great temperament under pressure.
- Hardik Pandya’s six-hitting spree provided a much-needed boost towards the final overs.
- Shreyas Iyer and Virat Kohli stitched a valuable 91-run partnership, stabilizing India’s chase after early wickets.
- Travis Head fell to Varun Chakravarthy, ending a dangerous-looking innings at 39.
- Mohammed Shami took 3/48, including the key wicket of Steve Smith.
- Axar Patel bowled Glenn Maxwell for 7, ensuring Australia didn’t get late-order fireworks.
- Alex Carey’s run-out, courtesy of Shreyas Iyer’s brilliance, turned the game in India’s favor.
Looking Ahead: India’s Road to the Final
With this victory, India now march into the Champions Trophy 2025 final, where they will face either New Zealand or South Africa. The final promises to be an intense battle as India aim to clinch yet another ICC trophy.
The team has showcased great form throughout the tournament, with the batting unit firing collectively and the bowlers delivering under pressure. Virat Kohli’s consistency, Hardik Pandya’s finishing ability, and Mohammed Shami’s bowling expertise have been India’s biggest assets.
As fans eagerly await the grand finale on Sunday, India will look to fine-tune their strategies and go all out to lift the prestigious trophy.
Conclusion
India’s triumph over Australia in the Champions Trophy semi-final was a testament to their all-round strength as a team. While Kohli’s brilliance set up the chase, Rahul and Pandya ensured the job was finished. The bowlers, led by Shami, played a crucial role in restricting Australia to a manageable total.
Now, with just one step left to glory, India will be eyeing a historic win in the final. The cricketing world waits with bated breath—can India go all the way and lift the Champions Trophy? Only time will tell, but one thing is for certain: this team has what it takes to be champions.
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