For most Indian fans, the agony of November 19, 2023, may have subsided a bit more on Tuesday as the Men in Blue defeated the Australian side in the 2025 Champions Trophy semi-final. The wounds from that World Cup final may still be fresh, but India dealt Australia a knockout blow in a major ICC one-day international tournament for the first time in 14 years. Virat Kohli may have lost a well-earned century, falling for a steady 84, but by the time he left in the 43rd over, the game was virtually decided. Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul maintained their cool, ensuring India finished the chase with 11 balls remaining. Rohit Sharma was also all praise for the Indian maestro.
Rohit Sharma on Virat Kohli
Rohit Sharma praised the team for their performance and highlighted how clinical it was. He also praised Virat Kohli for his stand with Shreyas Iyer and the match-winning knock. He said the whole dressing room was calm when Kohli was batting.
"Till the last ball is bowled, nothing is certain. Halfway through the game, we felt it was a reasonable score, and we have to bat really really well. I thought we were very clinical with the bat. We were very calm and composed. The wicket looked better, and that has been the nature of the surfaces. The one which played today was slightly better. We just want to play good cricket and not read too much into what the pitch is doing. [Six bowling options] That is something I really wanted, to have six bowling options and then batting till No. 8 as well. This is something we discussed while making the squad," said Rohit Sharma in the post-match presentation.
"Credit to everyone involved. When you have six bowling options, you can choose from anyone you want. [On Kohli] He has done it for us for so many years. We were very calm. We wanted that big stand which Shreyas and Virat had. Then the shots by Hardik in the end were very important. [Looking ahead] Very happy with that. When you want to play the final, you want all your guys in form. That is something that gives us a lot of confidence. We will not think too much about it. When the time comes, we will think about it. I also want the guys to relax," Indian captain added.
When India defeated Australia, they recorded the most successful run chase against them in the ICC tournament knockout match in history. With KL Rahul hitting the winning runs with a six and singing his own redemption song, India crossed the finish line in spectacular fashion. After winning the Champions Trophy in 2013 but losing in the 2017 final, India advanced to the final for the third time in a row. After placing second in the 2023 ODI World Cup and the 2024 T20 World Cup, this was India's third straight final appearance in ICC white-ball competitions.
