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Virat Kohli produced yet another match-winning knock in India's four-wicket victory over Australia in the Champions Trophy 2025 semifinal at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on March 4. When the chips were down, it was Virat Kohli who rose to the occasion to bail out India from a precarious position of 43/2 after the early dismissals of Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma.
Virat Kohli's match-winning knock against Australia in Champions Trophy semifinal
Kohli absorbed the pressure and effectively countered the Australian attack. Throughout his innings, he maintained composure, even as wickets fell around him, and strategically extended the game on a pitch favoring spinners. Kohli reached a well-crafted half-century and maintained his focus, displaying excellent chase calculation. He appeared poised for a century, but he couldn't do so.
KL Rahul, Gautam Gambhir left frustrated after Virat Kohli's dismissal
As the required run rate approached a run-a-ball, KL Rahul, batting at the other end, was effectively scoring boundaries, alleviating the pressure. Witnessing Rahul's successful aggression, Virat Kohli opted to accelerate the scoring by taking to the aerial route.
Adam Zampa bowled a flighted googly outside off-stump. Anticipating the delivery, Kohli attempted a slog sweep over cow corner. However, the ball made contact with the bottom part of the bat, resulting in a straighter trajectory. Ben Dwarshuis, positioned at long-on, took a straightforward catch.
Following Kohli's dismissal, KL Rahul's reaction drew attention. He appeared visibly disappointed and expressed to Kohli, "Main maar raha tha na" (I was hitting the ball). This sentiment was echoed by coach Gautam Gambhir as Kohli returned to the dressing room.
"Arey yaar kya zarurat thi, maar toh raha tha woh" (There wasn't a need for you to hit, KL Rahul was hitting)," Gautam Gambhir was spotted telling Kohli.
Kohli ended up scoring a superlative 84 runs from 98 balls at a strike rate of approximately 85, including five boundaries. His composed performance laid a solid foundation for India's chase. Following Kohli's dismissal, KL Rahul, remaining unbeaten with 42 runs, and Hardik Pandya, contributing 28 runs, effectively guided India to victory, successfully chasing the target with four wickets to spare. With this India stormed into the Champions Trophy final.
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