India thrash Australia to claim spot in Champions Trophy final

DUBAI: Virat Kohli’s heroics helped India thrash Australia to claim spot in the final of Champions Trophy 2025.

In pursuit of the target, India lost both openers inside the power play. Rohit Sharma (28) and Shubman Gill (8) were dismissed in a short span of time courtesy of good bowling from Australia.

Indian stalwart Virat Kohli and Sheryas Iyer added a 91-run stand to steady the chase. Iyer departed after making a well made 45 off 62 deliveries, featuring three fours.

But Kohli remained steadfast in the chase and chipped in with crucial partnerships with Axar Patel and KL Rahul.

The top scorer Virat Kohli was eventually dismissed in the 42nd over but it was too late for Australia. He scored a flawless 84 off 98, laced with four boundaries.

Following his dismissal, Hardik Pandya took control of the chase and struck a quick-fire 28, which led his team near the victory. He struck three huge sixes in his 28 off 24 balls.

With 4 required 12 balls, Rahul, who remained unbeaten on 42, hit the winning runs with a six over midwicket and steered India into their third consecutive Champions Trophy final.

For Australia, Nathan Ellis and Adam Zampa were the pick of the bowlers who took two wickets a piece.

Team India run machine Virat Kohli was named the Player of the Match for his outstanding batting performance in the all-important Champions Trophy semi-final against Australia.

Earlier, Australia had a poor start as their new opener, Cooper Connolly, was dismissed for a duck after playing nine deliveries.

After the first wicket, Head and Steve Smith added a quick-fire stand of 50 runs. Travis Head smashed five fours and two sixes in his 39 off 33 deliveries before being dismissed off Varun Chakravarthy.

Australia lost wickets at regular intervals, but Steve Smith remained firm at one end and kept the scoreboard ticking with crucial partnerships.

He formed a crucial 54-run partnership with Alex Carey for the fifth wicket, bringing Australia close to 200 runs.

Smith remained the top scorer with his gritty knock of 73 runs, which featured four fours and one six.

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After Smith’s departure in the 37 overs, Alex Carey took the charge and helped Australia reach a competitive total. He scored 61 off 59 deliveries, with eight fours and one six.

Mohammed Shami was the stand-out bowler for India with 3 three wickets, while Varun Chakravarthy and Ravindra Jadeja bagged two wickets.

Australia have brought in Cooper Connolly for Matt Short and Tanveer Sangha replaced Spencer Johnson.

India remain unchanged from their Playing XI for their last group-stage game against New Zealand in the Champions Trophy 2025.

India Playing XI: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, KL Rahul (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy and Mohammed Shami.

Australia Playing XI: Cooper Connolly, Travis Head, Steven Smith (c), Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis (wk), Alex Carey, Glenn Maxwell, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa and Tanveer Sangha.

India have topped Group A after winning three games in the group stage. Australia, on the other hand, won a game while two of their Champions Trophy 2025 matches were washed out.

Ahead of the game, Australia captain Steve Smith said that he expected the Dubai pitch to offer spin to the bowlers.

“The game’s probably won and lost how we play this spin, particularly in the middle overs, the way we get through there. It’s going to be a challenge. I think that there’s going to be some spin by the looks of it, looking at the surface,” he said in his pre-match press conference.

It is to be noted here that the second semi-final of the ongoing Champions Trophy 2025 between New Zealand and South Africa is scheduled for March 5 in Lahore.

The winners of these two matches will meet in the final on Sunday, March 9, with the venue yet to be confirmed.