IND vs AUS, Champions Trophy 2025 Semi-Final: A clinical chase masterminded by Virat Kohli and completed with precision by KL Rahul propelled India into the final of the 2025 Champions Trophy, where they will face either New Zealand or South Africa. India triumphed over Australia by four wickets in a thrilling encounter in Dubai, overcoming the demons of recent big-match disappointments against their fierce rivals.
Hardik Pandya, or more fittingly, “Hardik ‘Clutch’ Pandya,” played a pivotal role, blasting a flurry of sixes to bring India closer to a memorable victory. Though he was dismissed for 28 off 24 balls, his contribution had set the stage for India’s successful chase.
A moment of shock arrived when Virat Kohli fell against the run of play. Misjudging a delivery from Adam Zampa, Kohli failed to clear the man at long-on, leaving the Aussies elated. The Indian crowd shared in his disappointment as Kohli walked off with a look of disbelief, and Rahul, equally frustrated, conveyed his feelings to his teammate.
Taking on the role of aggressor, KL Rahul lifted the scoring rate, starting with a strike rate nearing 100, which allowed Kohli to anchor at the other end. The pair took India past the 200-run mark, and with five wickets in hand, India remained firmly in control with 10 overs to go. The run-rate had slightly risen to 6, but the batting firepower still at their disposal gave no cause for concern.
Rahul’s partnership with Kohli was momentarily interrupted when Axar Patel missed a pull shot and was bowled out, ending a promising 44-run stand. Shreyas Iyer, who had looked in good touch, was undone by a brilliant delivery from Zampa, following a dropped chance from Glenn Maxwell that gave Kohli a reprieve. Kohli made the most of it, scoring a magnificent half-century.
Despite a couple of setbacks, including the dismissals of Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill, India’s chase remained on course. Shreyas Iyer and Kohli had kept things ticking along, and it was Rahul who would finish the job.
Australia, on the other hand, had a somewhat shaky performance with the bat. After opting to bat first, they were rocked early by Mohammed Shami, who dismissed Copper Connolly for a duck. Travis Head, who had troubled India in the past, found himself struggling early, but then switched gears to charge to 39 before being undone by Varun Chakravarthy’s wrong’un.
The Australian middle order fought back through Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne, who put together a gritty 56-run partnership. But Jadeja’s crucial LBW dismissal of Labuschagne, followed by Shami removing Smith for 53, kept the Australian innings in check. Further wickets fell quickly, with Glenn Maxwell getting bowled by Axar after a brief flourish. Carey fought hard for his fifty, but a brilliant direct hit run-out by Shreyas Iyer dashed Australia’s hopes, and they were eventually bowled out for 264.
Australia’s total seemed set for much higher at one stage, but thanks to a stellar comeback led by Mohammed Shami (3/48) and strong support from Varun Chakravarthy and Ravindra Jadeja, India kept Australia under 270.
India’s chase, anchored by a composed Kohli and a clinical finish by Rahul, propelled them into the final, where they will await the winner between New Zealand and South Africa on Sunday.
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