DUBAI: India booked their place in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final with a hard-fought four-wicket victory over Australia in the first semi-final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.
Chasing a target of 265, India reached the finish line in 48.1 overs, thanks to Virat Kohli’s sublime 84 off 98 balls.
With this win, India secured their third consecutive Champions Trophy final appearance and will now face either South Africa or New Zealand, who are set to battle in the second semi-final in Lahore on Wednesday.
The final will be played on Sunday, March 9, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium after India qualified for the final.
India’s pursuit of 265 got off to a shaky start as both openers fell early. Shubman Gill (8) was cleaned up by Ben Dwarshuis in the fifth over, while captain Rohit Sharma (28) departed soon after, trapped lbw by young spinner Cooper Connolly.
Rohit’s quick-fire 29-ball innings, featuring three fours and a six, had given India a solid start before the twin setbacks.
However, Kohli and Shreyas Iyer then stabilised the innings with a crucial 91-run third-wicket stand. Iyer, looking in fine touch, played a composed knock of 45 off 62 balls before being bowled by Adam Zampa.
Kohli, displaying his trademark composure, then shared vital partnerships with Axar Patel (27) and KL Rahul (42*), guiding India towards the target.
Kohli’s stellar 98-ball innings, studded with five boundaries, came to an end in the 43rd over when he was dismissed by Nathan Ellis. But by then, India were well on course for victory.
Hardik Pandya (28 off 24) added a brisk 34-run stand with Rahul, striking three sixes to further ease the pressure. With just four runs required from the last 12 balls, Rahul sealed the win in style, smashing a six over midwicket.
For Australia, Zampa and Ellis picked up two wickets each, while Dwarshuis and Connolly claimed one scalp apiece.
Australia set 265-run target
Earlier, Australia posted a competitive total of 264 before being bowled out in 49.3 overs. Opting to bat first, they suffered an early blow when Connolly fell for a duck off Mohammed Shami’s bowling in the third over.
Travis Head (39 off 33) counter-attacked with five boundaries and two sixes, putting on a 50-run stand with skipper Steve Smith before being dismissed by Varun Chakravarthy.
Australia kept losing wickets at regular intervals but Smith held firm, crafting a well-compiled 73 off 96 balls, featuring four boundaries and a six.
Smith found support from Marnus Labuschagne (29) and Josh Inglis (11), while wicketkeeper-batter Alex Carey played a crucial knock of 61 off 57 balls, laced with eight fours and a six, to propel Australia past 250.
India’s bowlers were disciplined, with Shami leading the attack with three wickets. Chakravarthy and Ravindra Jadeja bagged two wickets each, while Pandya and Axar Patel chipped in with one scalp each.
India, who topped Group A with three wins in the league stage, maintained their dominant run in the tournament. With Kohli once again stepping up in a high-pressure game, the Men in Blue showcased their ability to perform under knockout conditions.
The second semi-final between South Africa and New Zealand will be played on Wednesday in Lahore, with the winner set to meet India in the final on March 9.
India stady in chase
India are steadily progressing towards Australia’s target of 265 despite early setbacks in the first semi-final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, with Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill dismissed cheaply by Cooper Connolly and Ben Dwarshuis at 43.
At 121 for 2 in 23 overs, Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer are at the crease, stabilising the innings in the first semi-final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Dubai.
Virat Kohli is the only player in the world with a 60-plus average among the batters who have scored at least 1000 runs in ODI chases.
He has also become the second batter in the world after Sachin Tendulkar to score 8000 runs in ODI chases. Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer are stitching a crucial partnership for two-down India in the chase of 265 runs in the first semifinal of the Champions Trophy in Dubai.
As Kohli hit a four to Nathan Ellis on the final ball of the 16th over, his wife and Bollywood actor Anushka Sharma was seen clapping from the stands. Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma both are back in the hut.
Earlier, a disciplined bowling effort helped India bundle out Australia for 264 in the first semifinal of Champions Trophy 2025.
Mohammed Shami was the pick of Indian bowlers with figures of 3 for 48 while Varun Chakravarthy and Ravindra Jadeja picked two apiece.
Axar Patel and Hardik Pandya also got a wicket each. For Australia, Steve Smith was the top-scorer with 73 runs off 96 balls, while Alex Carey (61 off 57) and Travis Head (39 off 33) also played crucial knocks.
Australia set 265 runs target
Earlier, Australia set a modest target of 265 runs for India in the inaugural semi-final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, at the Dubai International Stadium on Tuesday.
Fast bowler Mohammed Shami delivered an impressive performance, claiming three wickets for 48 runs, including the crucial scalp of the well-set Steve Smith, who contributed a solid 73 runs.
In a masterclass of disciplined bowling, India orchestrated the dismissal of Australia for a total of 264 in the first semifinal of the 2025 Champions Trophy.
This score marks the highest innings total recorded at the venue during this tournament. Leading the Indian attack, Mohammed Shami shone brightly with remarkable figures of 3 for 48, while both Varun Chakravarthy and Ravindra Jadeja contributed significantly with two wickets each.
Axar Patel and Hardik Pandya rounded off the performance by claiming one wicket apiece.
For Australia, it was Steve Smith who stood out as the top scorer, crafting a resilient 73 runs off 96 deliveries, supported by pivotal innings from Alex Carey (61 off 57) and Travis Head (39 off 33).
Indian Captain Rohit Sharma loses his 14th toss in a row to lose having that unwanted record on his name. Australian skipper Smith was quick to respond in to bat first after winning the toss.
