The Dubai pitch was not a batting paradise with much assistance for pacers and spinners but in the end, India reached home comfortably against Australia in the Champions Trophy 2025 semifinal on March 4. After Hardik Pandya lost his wicket trying to hit a six, the dressing room was not dull and anxiously waited for the run chase to end as the penultimate over was about to start. Captain Rohit Sharma was sitting in the dressing room while Virat Kohli who scored 84, was standing. Kohli turned to Rohit and predicted that KL Rahul will go for the glory shot.
'Maarne to chakka hi ja raha hai woh (He is definitely aiming to hit a six)' Kohli said to Rohit and imitated the off-spinner Glenn Maxwell's action and Rahul's shot.
Rahul did as Kohli predicted. He stepped down the ground and smashed the ball over wide long-on to finish the run chase with a six.
As soon as the ball sailed over the ropes, the players in the dressing room celebrated. Kuldeep Yadav who was geared up to go next jumped as India reached the final for the third consecutive time. Rohit, Kohli and Pandya shared high-fives and hugs. The video also shows the team reaching the hotel. They received a warm welcome at the hotel where left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh joined in the celebrations.
Rohit lauds Kohli and other batters for vital partnerships
Kohli was named 'Player of the match' for his 98-ball 84. Captain Rohit praised all batters for sharing crucial partnerships in the run chase which did not let Australia get ahead.
"He (Kohli) has done it for us for so many years. When we were batting, we were very calm. We wanted that big partnership which Shreyas and Virat had, which was really good. And then, the small partnerships between Axar and Virat and then KL and Virat and then that match-winning partnership. Towards the end, it may not look big runs, but those shots in the end by Hardik were very crucial. When you are in the final, you want all the guys to be in form. All these guys have made an impact whenever they've got an opportunity and that gives us a lot of confidence," Rohit said in the post-match press conference.
The final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will be played on March 9 in Dubai. New Zealand and South Africa will be fighting for the final spot as they meet at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore on March 5.
