India clinched a gripping five-wicket victory against Australia in the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 semi-final at Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Stellar bowling and Virat Kohli’s composed 84 propelled India to their third straight final, setting up a clash with either South Africa or New Zealand on Sunday.
Chasing Australia’s 264, India kicked off cautiously. Shubman Gill faltered at 10, edging Ben Dwarshuis to the stumps, while Rohit Sharma’s aggressive 28 ended via Cooper Connolly’s trap. At 38-2, pressure mounted until Kohli and Shreyas Iyer forged a game-changing 91-run stand. Iyer’s stylish 45 fell to Adam Zampa, but Kohli held firm.
India edge out Australia in a nervy chase to punch their ticket to the #ChampionsTrophy Final 🎫#INDvAUS 📝: https://t.co/hFrI2t8AC9 pic.twitter.com/ftpmHXJ2m4
— ICC (@ICC) March 4, 2025Axar Patel’s brisk 27 faded fast, and Kohli, nearing his 52nd ODI ton, exited at 84 to Zampa’s catch. Hardik Pandya smashed back-to-back sixes to shift momentum, only to fall for 28. KL Rahul sealed the deal, lofting a six over long-on to finish the Champions Trophy 2025 chase with flair.
Batting first, Australia posted 264, thanks to Steve Smith’s 73 and Alex Carey’s 61—the venue’s tournament high. Mohammed Shami led India’s attack with 3-48, while spinners Varun Chakravarthy and Ravindra Jadeja nabbed two each. Early blows saw Connolly (0) and Travis Head (39) crumble, but Smith and Marnus Labuschagne (29) rallied. Carey’s fifty pushed the score, though late wickets capped their run.
A clinical performance by India as they become the first team to reach3️⃣consecutive #ChampionsTrophy finals 🤩#INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/m18KpULOkQ
— ICC (@ICC) March 4, 2025India vs Australia: Key Moments
- Dropped Chances: Rohit survived two spills—Connolly and Labuschagne fluffed easy catches.
- Kohli’s Anchor: His 84 off 98 balls turned the tide, steadying India’s chase.
- Pandya’s Burst: Two sixes off Zampa swung the game back in India’s way.
India’s unbeaten group stage and this Champions Trophy 2025 semi-final win mark their fifth final in seven 50-over events.
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