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India stormed into their third consecutive ICC Champions Trophy final with a clinical all-round performance against Australia in the semi-final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The victory was anchored by none other than Virat Kohli, who played a masterful knock, guiding India to a four-wicket win while chasing 264.
Table of content
- 1 Kohli Anchors India’s Chase
- 2 Kohli’s Resilience and Axar’s Support
- 3 Hardik Pandya Seals the Deal
- 4 India’s Bowling Effort: Shami, Jadeja, and Axar Shine
- 5 Early Breakthroughs for India
- 6 Steve Smith Steadies Australia
- 7 Middle-Order Struggles and Alex Carey’s Counterattack
- 8 Brief Scores
- 9 India Set for Champions Trophy Final
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- 11 Like this:
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Kohli Anchors India’s Chase
Chasing a tricky total of 264, India found themselves in early trouble when Shubman Gill chopped on in the fifth over. However, Rohit Sharma took the aggressive route, making the most of two dropped chances and scoring 28 off 29 balls before missing a sweep against Cooper Connolly, resulting in an LBW dismissal. With India at 43/2 in eight overs, Australia sensed an opportunity to tighten their grip on the match.
Kohli, however, ensured that the chase stayed on track. He forged a crucial 91-run partnership with Shreyas Iyer, absorbing pressure and stabilizing India’s innings. The duo rotated the strike smartly, minimizing risks against Australia’s spinners and gradually building momentum.
Kohli’s Resilience and Axar’s Support
Kohli brought up his 74th ODI fifty, but soon after, he was given a reprieve when Glenn Maxwell dropped a tough catch at short extra cover. While Kohli continued his steady innings, Shreyas Iyer (45) was undone by a well-disguised slider from Adam Zampa. Despite this setback, Kohli found another able partner in Axar Patel, whose quick-fire 24 included a slog-swept six off Tanveer Sangha. Their 44-run stand helped India inch closer to the target without letting the required run rate spiral out of control.
Australia kept fighting back with timely breakthroughs. Nathan Ellis bowled Axar Patel with a skiddy delivery, and KL Rahul came in with a similar game plan—playing cautiously while Kohli continued to anchor the chase. Heading into the final 10 overs, India needed 65 runs with six wickets in hand.
Rahul upped the ante with lofted boundaries off Zampa and Ellis, but Kohli’s uncharacteristic attempt to go aerial off Zampa saw him hole out at long-on for 84. At 227/5, Australia sensed an opening.
Hardik Pandya Seals the Deal
Just when the match seemed to be tilting back towards Australia, Hardik Pandya turned the tide with his power-hitting. The all-rounder smashed three sixes off Australia’s leg-spinners, including a crucial assault on Zampa, which sealed India’s dominance. Pandya’s 28 off 24 balls ensured that India completed the chase with 11 balls to spare, securing a place in yet another Champions Trophy final.
India’s Bowling Effort: Shami, Jadeja, and Axar Shine
Earlier in the day, India’s bowlers executed a disciplined performance to bowl out Australia for 264 in 49.3 overs. The bowling attack was unchanged from their previous game, featuring four frontline spinners alongside Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah.
Early Breakthroughs for India
- Varun Chakravarthy struck with his first ball, dismissing Travis Head (39) with a mistimed loft to long-off.
- Mohammed Shami troubled Cooper Connolly, eventually dismissing him for a 9-ball duck with an outside edge.
- With Head and Connolly gone, India gained the upper hand.
Steve Smith Steadies Australia
Despite the early blows, Steve Smith displayed his trademark resilience. He brought up his 50 off 66 balls, marking his fifth 50+ score in seven ICC ODI knockout matches. However, Smith survived two close calls—one inside edge that hit the stumps without dislodging the bails and a dropped return catch by Shami.
Middle-Order Struggles and Alex Carey’s Counterattack
While Smith held one end, Marnus Labuschagne tried countering the Indian spinners with slogsweeps but fell LBW to Ravindra Jadeja after a 56-run partnership.
- Josh Inglis (11) chipped a simple catch to cover, leaving Australia in a spot of bother.
- Alex Carey injected momentum, scoring a quickfire 61 off 48 balls and helping Australia add 54 runs for the sixth wicket.
- However, Smith’s dismissal for 73 and Maxwell’s immediate departure to Axar Patel dented Australia’s finishing push.
Just as Carey was looking set for a final onslaught, he was run out brilliantly by Shreyas Iyer while attempting a second run. Australia’s tailenders failed to capitalize, and they were eventually bowled out for 264 in the final over.
Brief Scores
Australia: 264 all out in 49.3 overs (Steve Smith 73, Alex Carey 61; Mohammed Shami 3-48, Ravindra Jadeja 2-45)
India: 267/6 in 48.1 overs (Virat Kohli 84, Shreyas Iyer 45, KL Rahul 42; Adam Zampa 2-54)
India won by 4 wickets.
India Set for Champions Trophy Final
With this win, India has now reached their third consecutive Champions Trophy final. They will face either England or South Africa in the title clash as they aim to add another ICC trophy to their cabinet.
While Virat Kohli’s match-winning 84 was the highlight of the day, contributions from Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, and Hardik Pandya ensured that India chased the target in a composed fashion.
With momentum on their side, Rohit Sharma’s men will now look to lift their third Champions Trophy title and extend their dominance in ICC tournaments.
