IND vs AUS Highlights: Virat Kohli 84 Leads India to Champions Trophy 2025 Final
In a thrilling semi-final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, India beat Australia by four wickets. This victory in Dubai sends India to the final. Virat Kohli scored 84 runs off 98 balls as India chased 265. His performance was key in helping India beat their 2023 World Cup final fears against the same team. India sealed the victory with 11 balls to spare, setting up a thrilling finale.
Australia’s Innings: Smith’s 73 and Carey’s 61 Anchor the Total
Early Struggles for Australia
Winning the toss on a slow, dry pitch, Australia opted to bat first. Mohammed Shami made an early impact by getting Cooper Connolly out for a duck on just nine balls in the third over. Travis Head quickly scored 39 runs off 33 balls. But Varun Chakravarthy ended his innings in the ninth over.
Smith’s Steady Knock Stabilizes the Innings
At 54/2, Australia needed stability, and Steve Smith delivered. Smith worked well with Marnus Labuschagne, who scored 29 runs off 36 balls. Together, they faced India’s strong spin attack. Ravindra Jadeja got Labuschagne out in the 23rd over. This brought Australia’s score to 110/3.
Carey and Smith Push Australia Past 260
Despite wickets falling at regular intervals, Smith remained solid. He formed a key 54-run partnership with Alex Carey. Then, Shami bowled a sharp yorker that got him out for 73 runs off 96 balls.
Carey continued to fight, scoring 61 off 57 deliveries before being run out in the 48th over. Contributions from Ben Dwarshuis (19) and Glenn Maxwell (7) helped Australia post 264 in 49.3 overs.
Key Bowling Performances for India:
- Mohammed Shami: 3/48
- Varun Chakravarthy: 2/49
- Ravindra Jadeja: 2/40
India’s Chase: Kohli and Iyer Steady the Ship
Early Setbacks for India
India faced a setback while chasing 265. Shubman Gill scored just 8 runs before he hit his own stumps off Ben Dwarshuis in the fifth over. Rohit Sharma (28 off 29) looked aggressive but was trapped LBW by Connolly in the eighth over. At 43/2, India was in trouble.
Kohli-Iyer Partnership Lays the Foundation
Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer steadied the innings, stitching together a 91-run stand. Iyer’s 45 off 62 balls provided crucial support before Adam Zampa dismissed him in the 26th over. By then, India had 134/3 and looked well-placed for the chase.
Fielding Errors Cost Australia
Australia’s sharp fielding slipped. Rohit Sharma was dropped twice in the powerplay. Also, Maxwell missed a key chance to get Kohli out before Iyer’s wicket fell. These lapses proved costly as Kohli capitalized on the lifeline.
Kohli’s 84, Rahul-Pandya Power India to Victory
Kohli Anchors, Lower Order Finishes the Job
At 225/5 in the 43rd over, Kohli’s departure left India needing 40 more runs. However, KL Rahul (42 off 34) and Hardik Pandya (28 off 24) ensured there were no further hiccups.
Final Push to Victory
Pandya’s aggressive hitting brought India to the brink before his dismissal at 259/6 in the 48th over. Finally, Rahul and Jadeja (6) calmly sealed the win with 11 balls to spare*.
India’s Key Batting Performances:
- Virat Kohli: 84 (98)
- Shreyas Iyer: 45 (62)
- KL Rahul: 42* (34)
- Hardik Pandya: 28 (24)
India March to the Champions Trophy 2025 Final
India’s win avenged their 2023 World Cup final loss to Australia. It also secured their spot in the Champions Trophy 2025 final. They will now await the winner of the second semi-final for a chance to lift the coveted trophy.
