Rohit Sharma-led Indian Cricket team defeated Steve Smith's Australia by four wickets in the first semi-final of the ongoing edition of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which was being played at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, on March 4 (Tuesday). The Men in Blue have qualified for the finals of the tournament as they extend their undefeated win streak. This also means that the grand finale of the mega tournament will be played in Dubai now instead of Lahore. They have now qualified for the Champions Trophy final for the third consecutive time.
Australia bowled out for 264
Australia won the toss and chose to bat first. Mohammed Shami dismissed Cooper Connolly for a nine-ball duck after the young all-rounder came into the playing XI just a day after replacing the injured Matthew Short in the squad. Head made the slowest start of his ODI Career after making just one run in 10 balls, but quickly made up and upped the ante. However, he lost his wicket on the first ball he faced from Chakravarthy in his career.
Steve Smith and Marnus Labushagne ensured Australia crossed the 100-run mark in the 20th over without losing any more wickets. Later Ravindra Jadeja got rid of Marnus Labuschagne and Josh Inglis before they could do much harm to the Indian side. However, Steve Smith kept on progressing the scoreboard and completed his fifty before being removed by Mohammed Shami in the 37th over. After Smith, Alex Carey also played a crucial 61-run knock. No other batter could make a bigger contribution and eventually Aussie were bowled out for 264.
Shami was the pick of the bowler as he took three wickets. Meanwhile, Varun Chakravarthy and Ravindra Jadeja picked two wickets each and Axar Patel settled with one.
India seal spot in final
Rohit Sharma was expected to play a longer innings, especially after the early wicket of Shubman Gill. India found themselves under early pressure at 43 for 2 in the powerplay while chasing a target of 265. However, after the openers failed, Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer joined a game-setting 91-run stand. Iyer got out after 45. Virat Kohli missed his century as he got out after scoring 84 runs.
Later KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya finished the show. Pandya's heavy hitting stole the show in the end. He got out after scoring 28 runs off 24 balls but ensured that India will be playing the final of Champions Trophy 2025.
