In the semi-final clash at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, India secured their spot in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final by defeating Australia by four wickets. The victory was anchored by a stellar performance from Virat Kohli, who scored a crucial 84 runs, guiding India to chase down Australia’s total of 264 with ten balls to spare.
Opting to bat first after winning the toss, Australia posted a competitive total of 264 runs before being bowled out in 49.3 overs. Captain Steve Smith led from the front with a well-crafted 73 off 69 balls, showcasing his resilience and technique.
Wicketkeeper-batsman Alex Carey provided valuable support with a brisk 60 runs, stabilising the middle order. Travis Head contributed 39 runs, while Marnus Labuschagne added 29, but the rest of the batting lineup struggled to build substantial partnerships.
India’s bowlers delivered a disciplined performance. Pace spearhead Mohammed Shami was the standout, claiming three wickets for 48 runs. Spinner Varun Chakravarthy impressed with figures of 2 for 49, effectively containing the Australian batsmen during the middle overs. Ravindra Jadeja also chipped in with two crucial wickets, applying pressure and breaking partnerships at vital junctures.
Chasing 265 for victory, India faced early setbacks. Opener Shubman Gill was dismissed for 8 off 11 balls, and captain Rohit Sharma, after a promising start, fell for 28 off 29 balls, leaving India at 43 for 2. The experienced duo of Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer then steadied the innings with a pivotal 91-run partnership.
Kohli, often referred to as the ‘chase master,’ exhibited his trademark composure and skill, accumulating 84 runs off 98 deliveries. His innings included 9 boundaries, effectively rotating the strike and punishing loose deliveries. Iyer complemented Kohli with a solid 45 runs, anchoring the innings during a critical phase.
After Iyer’s departure, all-rounder Axar Patel contributed a quickfire 27 runs, accelerating the chase. KL Rahul then played a decisive role, scoring an unbeaten 36, including the winning runs, ensuring India crossed the finish line with 10 balls remaining.
The Kohli-Iyer partnership was instrumental in stabilising India’s innings after early wickets, setting a solid foundation for the chase.
Australia’s fielding lapses, including dropped catches of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, proved costly, allowing India to maintain momentum.
Effective bowling changes and field placements by Indian captain Rohit Sharma restricted Australia’s scoring opportunities, particularly during the death overs.
Virat Kohli, awarded Player of the Match, expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance, stating, “Chasing under pressure is always challenging, but our intent and execution were spot on. This win is a testament to our collective effort.”
Australian captain Steve Smith acknowledged the team’s shortcomings, saying, “We were probably 20-30 runs short with the bat. Credit to India for their chase, they played better cricket today.”
India will now await the winner of the second semi-final between South Africa and New Zealand, scheduled for March 5 at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. The final is set for March 9, at Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
This victory not only propels India into the Champions Trophy final but also serves as redemption for their loss to Australia in the 2023 ICC Men’s World Cup final.
