Mohammed Shami yet again turned India's troubleshooter as he delivered a sensational bowling show to tame Australia in the Champions Trophy 2025 semi-final clash at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on March 4, Tuesday. After showing signs of inconsistency in his previous two outings, Shami rediscovered his form, proving his bowling prowess yet again. His precise lines and lengths caused considerable problems for the Australian batsmen throughout his spells.
Shami's impact was immediate, securing the vital wicket of Cooper Connolly during his initial spell. Later, he provided another critical breakthrough by dismissing Steve Smith, who had been building a strong innings and applying pressure on the Indian bowling attack. Shami's ability to step up in a high-stakes match proved pivotal for India's chances of advancing to the final.
Gautam Gambhir's aggressive celebration after Steve Smith's dismissal
Steve Smith's promising innings, which appeared destined for a century, was abruptly ended by Mohammed Shami in the 37th over. Shami delivered a low full toss, prompting Smith to step down the pitch and create space for a drive. However, Smith failed to connect, and the ball crashed into the off-stump, dismissing him. Smith's frustration was evident as he shook his head while leaving the field.
The dismissal sparked a strong reaction from the Indian dugout, particularly from head coach Gautam Gambhir. Gambhir's celebration was notably intense, as he was all pumped up. He was seen yelling in celebration with expletive-laden expression. Virat Kohli, too, displayed his elation, reacting with laughter and a hint of mockery towards Smith's dismissal. The contrasting reactions from Smith's disappointment and the Indian team's exuberant celebration highlighted the high stakes and emotional intensity of the semi-final match.
India's Playing XI:
Rohit Sharma(c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, KL Rahul(w), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy
Australia's Playing XI:
Cooper Connolly, Travis Head, Steven Smith(c), Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis(w), Alex Carey, Glenn Maxwell, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Tanveer Sangha
