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Virat Kohli played a key role as India secured a four-wicket victory over Australia to advance to the Champions Trophy final.
Chasing a target of 265, India reached the target in 48.1 overs, driven by Kohli’s composed 84 off 98 balls and a strong finish from KL Rahul.
India’s chase started with early setbacks as Shubman Gill (8) and Rohit Sharma (28) were dismissed within the first eight overs. Kohli then anchored the innings, building a vital 91-run partnership with Shreyas Iyer (45).
However, Adam Zampa broke the stand by dismissing Iyer, and later removed Kohli in the 43rd over, leaving India at 225/5. Despite Kohli’s departure, Rahul (42*) and Hardik Pandya (28) steered India to victory, finishing the match with 11 balls to spare. Rahul’s aggressive stroke play, including two sixes, helped India ease through the final overs.
Earlier, Australia posted 264 all out, thanks to half-centuries from captain Steve Smith (73) and Alex Carey (61). This total became the highest at Dubai International Cricket Stadium in the ongoing 50-over tournament.
India’s pace spearhead Mohammed Shami was outstanding with figures of 3-48, while spinners Varun Chakravarthy and Ravindra Jadeja took two wickets each. India’s bowlers maintained disciplined lines early, testing Australia’s openers. Shami made the breakthrough, dismissing Cooper Connolly (duck) after a successful review.
Travis Head counterattacked with a flurry of boundaries, but Chakravarthy struck on his second ball to dismiss Head for 39, leaving Australia at 54/2. Smith and Marnus Labuschagne consolidated, but Labuschagne was trapped lbw by Jadeja for 29, ending a 56-run partnership.
Smith reached his 35th ODI half-century, but Jadeja struck again, removing Josh Inglis. Shami then bowled Smith on a full toss, and Axar Patel rattled Glenn Maxwell’s stumps after being hit for a six.
Carey reached his fifty and, with Ben Dwarshuis (19), pushed Australia past 250. However, Chakravarthy dismissed Dwarshuis, and Carey was run out following a direct throw from Shreyas Iyer. Australia finished with 264, surpassing the previous highest total at the venue, set by India in their win over New Zealand in the group stage.
