India has booked its place in the final of the Champions Trophy with a thrilling four-wicket victory over Australia in the first semi-final on Tuesday at the Dubai International Stadium. Star batter Virat Kohli anchored India’s successful chase with a composed 84 runs off 98 balls, guiding the team to chase down Australia’s total of 264 with 11 balls to spare.Australia wins the toss, decides to bat first
Australia batted first after winning the toss, posting a competitive 264 all out in 49.3 overs. Skipper Steve Smith top-scored for Australia with 73 runs off 96 balls, sharing crucial partnerships with Travis Head (39) and Marnus Labuschagne (29).
Alex Carey contributed a valuable 61 runs. For India, Mohammed Shami was the standout bowler, claiming 3/38, while Varun Chakravarthy and Ravindra Jadeja took two wickets each.Despite a strong start, Australia’s innings faltered towards the end. Carey was run out just as the team seemed poised for a late acceleration, and they collapsed with three deliveries left.Team India loses early wicketsIndia’s chase wasn’t without its hurdles, as they lost early wickets, including Shubman Gill, who was bowled out for a duck by Ben Dwarshuis. Kohli, however, led the charge, combining with Shreyas Iyer (45) for a 91-run partnership to steady the ship.
India’s chase faced another twist when Kohli holed out in the deep after completing his fifty, but Hardik Pandya (28) played a vital cameo, hitting three sixes to ease the pressure. KL Rahul’s unbeaten 42 sealed India’s win, hitting Adam Zampa for a six in the final stages.Virat Kohli misses tonRohit Sharma, India’s captain, expressed satisfaction with the team’s clinical approach to the chase, saying, “We were very, very clinical with the bat. We were calm and composed in our chase.”The victory means that India will face the winner of the South Africa vs. New Zealand semi-final, which takes place on Wednesday in Lahore, in Sunday’s final. India’s success in Dubai continues after they chose to play all their matches there due to strained political relations with Pakistan.Brief scores:Australia: 264 all out in 49.3 overs (Steve Smith 73, Alex Carey 61, Travis Head 39; Mohammed Shami 3/48, Ravindra Jadeja 2/40, Varun Chakravarthy 2/49)India: 267/6 in 48.1 overs (Virat Kohli 84, Shreyas Iyer 45; Adam Zampa 2/60)Key Highlights:
Virat Kohli’s 84 anchored India’s successful chase.
Australia posted 264, led by Smith’s 73 and Carey’s 61.
Mohammed Shami’s 3-wicket haul was instrumental in limiting Australia.
India chased down the target with 11 balls to spare.
KL Rahul’s unbeaten 42 sealed the win for India.
Rohit Sharma lauded the calm approach of his team during the chase.
