In a thrilling ICC Champions Trophy 2025 semi-final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, India secured a hard-fought four-wicket victory over Australia. Virat Kohli showcased his exceptional chase-master skills, leading India with a composed 84. This win propels India into the grand finale, where they will face the winner of the South Africa vs. New Zealand semi-final.
Australia’s Innings: A Steady Start but Lack of Acceleration
Winning the toss, Australian captain Steve Smith opted to bat first on a high-scoring pitch. However, India’s bowlers, led by Mohammed Shami, effectively controlled the game, preventing Australia from posting an imposing total.
Australia’s innings started cautiously with Travis Head and Cooper Connolly opening. Connolly struggled and was dismissed for a nine-ball duck by Mohammed Shami. Head, in good touch, played some fluent strokes but was eventually dismissed for 39 off 33 balls by Varun Chakravarthy.
At 54/2, Australia needed a solid partnership, and Steve Smith anchored the innings alongside Marnus Labuschagne. India’s spinners—Ravindra Jadeja and Chakravarthy—kept the run rate in check, leading to Labuschagne’s dismissal for 29 against Jadeja.
Smith then accelerated alongside Alex Carey, who played an aggressive knock. Carey’s 61 off 57 balls provided Australia with a much-needed boost in the middle overs. However, India’s bowlers tightened their grip in the final overs. Mohammed Shami dismissed Smith (73 off 96 balls) and Marcus Stoinis (12) in quick succession, restricting Australia to 264 in 49.3 overs—a competitive but not intimidating total.
India’s Chase: Kohli Leads from the Front
India’s chase started with early setbacks as Australia’s pacers struck quickly. Shubman Gill fell for just 8 and Rohit Sharma for 28 within the first 12 overs, reducing India to 43/2.
But Virat Kohli, renowned for his ability to chase under pressure, played a masterclass in innings-building. Partnering with Shreyas Iyer, Kohli stitched together a crucial 91-run stand. Iyer played fluently for 45 off 62 balls before falling to Adam Zampa’s spin.
Kohli continued to anchor the innings, forming another crucial partnership with KL Rahul. As India neared the target, Kohli was dismissed for 84 off 98 balls while attempting to accelerate, leaving India at 225/5.
With 40 runs needed, Hardik Pandya played a key cameo, scoring 28 off 24 balls before being dismissed. KL Rahul remained unbeaten on 42 off 34 balls, guiding India to victory with 11 balls to spare, finishing at 267/6 in 48.1 overs.
Post-Match Reactions: Praise for Kohli and India’s Composure
Virat Kohli’s performance drew widespread acclaim. Reflecting on his innings, he emphasized the importance of patience and partnerships:
“I was not feeling desperate, and I was pretty happy knocking ones around. When you start taking pride in hitting those singles into the gaps, you know you are playing good cricket and building a strong partnership.”
Steve Smith Announces ODI Retirement
After the match, Australian captain Steve Smith announced his surprise retirement from One-Day Internationals (ODIs):
“It has been a great ride, and I have loved every minute of it. Winning two World Cups was a highlight, along with playing alongside so many fantastic teammates.”
Looking ahead, Smith stated his focus remains on Test cricket and upcoming series:
“Test cricket is a priority. I’m looking forward to the World Test Championship final, the West Indies series, and the Ashes at home. I still have a lot to contribute on that stage.”
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Looking Ahead: The Final Showdown
With this victory, India advances to the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Final, set for March 9, 2025, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Their opponents will be decided in the second semi-final clash between South Africa and New Zealand.
For Australia, this tournament ends with positives but also raises concerns about middle-order consistency and bowling depth. Despite key injuries, they fought commendably throughout the tournament.
Final Thoughts
This semi-final showcased the essence of high-stakes ODI cricket, featuring intense battles between bat and ball. India’s ability to chase under pressure will boost their confidence heading into the final. With the ICC Champions Trophy title in sight, Rohit Sharma and his team will aim to deliver another stellar performance in the grand finale.
