Dubai, March 4, 2025 – In the first semi-final of the 2025 Champions Trophy, Australia set a target of 265 runs for India, which India successfully chased down with the loss of 6 wickets. Once again, Virat Kohli played a crucial role in securing India’s victory.
The match was played at Dubai Cricket Stadium, where Australia won the toss and opted to bat first. Although India’s bowlers got an early breakthrough in the third over, dismissing the first Australian wicket at 4 runs, Australia recovered well, reaching 53 runs in 8 overs. However, in the following over, Travis Head, who had settled in, got out after scoring 39 runs, leaving Australia at 54-2.
Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne then built a solid partnership, taking the team’s total to 110 runs before Labuschagne (29) was trapped LBW by Ravindra Jadeja. Australia continued their innings cautiously, but at 144 runs, Josh Inglis (11) was also dismissed by Jadeja.
Steve Smith continued to hold one end and built a 50-run partnership with Alex Carey, but he was eventually dismissed for 73 runs by Mohammed Shami at 198 runs. Glenn Maxwell, after hitting a six, got out on the very next delivery by Varun Chakravarthy. Alex Carey (61) fought back, guiding Australia to 264 runs, with support from Ben Dwarshuis (19), Adam Zampa (7), Nathan Ellis (10), and Tanveer Sangha (1).
For India, Mohammed Shami claimed three wickets, while Varun Chakravarthy and Ravindra Jadeja took two wickets each. Hardik Pandya and Axar Patel chipped in with one wicket each.
India’s Chase
India started their chase on a shaky note as captain Rohit Sharma and vice-captain Shubman Gill were dismissed early. However, Virat Kohli stepped up once again, forming a crucial partnership with Shreyas Iyer. Together, they stabilized the innings, but Iyer (45) and Axar Patel (27) got out along the way.
Despite losing wickets, Kohli remained steady and completed his half-century. However, he was dismissed for 84 runs by Zampa, falling short of a century.
Later, a strong partnership between KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya guided India to a comfortable victory, securing their place in the Champions Trophy final.
The second semi-final will be played tomorrow in Lahore between New Zealand and South Africa. The winner of that match will face India in the final at Dubai Stadium.
