Mumbai: A comprehensive five-wicket win over Australia in the first semi-final in Dubai ensured India a place in the final of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. India has reached the final for the third time in a row. Mohammad Shami and Virat Kohli were the chief architects in getting the MEN IN Blue to fend off the Australian challenge. Australia could only manage to score 264 because of Shami’s brilliant four-wicket haul, and while chasing, Kohli hit an assuring 84 runs.
It is a huge win for India, especially as it has been almost 14 years since Australia lost a match in an ICC knockout. The most recent of those victories had come in the quarter-finals of the 2011 World Cup—a tournament in which India would go on to claim the trophy. India has now completed a remarkable hat trick of reaching the final, having made it to the summit clash previously in 2013 and 2017.
Australia fought hard, even with a number of regulars missing. The team picked 21-year-old all-rounder Cooper Connolly, who was left unimpressive, while opener Travis Head (39) attacked the bowling initially. But Varun Chakravarthy (2/49) kept things tight and picked up Head at a key moment. The innings was then held together by captain Steve Smith, who made a patient 73 before Shami got him too, bowling him out before he could complete his half-century. Alex Carey chipped in with a late 61, but Shreyas Iyer’s brilliant run out in the 48th over on debut ended Australia’s push for 400. Ravindra Jadeja and Varun Chakravarthy also chipped in with two wickets apiece apart from Shami’s four-wicket haul.
Rohit went after the Australian bowling right from the outset, though his dismissal would have come for Australia early on twice. But they got on top when Ben Dwarshuis bowled Shubman Gill, and Connolly made amends by claiming Rohit (28) with his first ball of the innings. After losing a few early wickets, all eyes were on Virat Kohli, who had scored a match-winning century against Pakistan earlier this week. With Shreyas Iyer ever so composed and dependable, the two managed to put together a partnership of 91 to ensure the innings was recaptured.
Iyer was out for 45, but Axar Patel (27) came in and assisted Kohli before being yorked by Nathan Ellis to bring some pressure into the match. But then, KL Rahul and Kohli got together and added another 47 runs to keep India on track. While Hooked Pandya (28) and Rahul (42*) made sure to coast to victory with flourishes of the bat, completing the chase with shots all that glitters as thousands of suns.
This victory takes India one step closer to realising their dream of lifting the Champions Trophy again as the team marches into the final.