India Defeats Australia to Secure Spot in ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Final

Australia’s Innings: A Slow Start and Steady Recovery

Australia, batting first, posted a total of 264 after being bowled out in the final over. Despite half-centuries from Steve Smith (73) and Alex Carey (61), the Indian bowlers ensured the total remained within reach.  Mohammed Shami was the pick of the bowlers, taking 3/48, while Varun Chakaravarthy and Ravindra Jadeja chipped in with two wickets each.The match had its share of drama early on, as Shami dropped Travis Head on the second ball of the inning. However, Shami quickly made amends by dismissing Cooper Connolly for a nine-ball duck. Head, who struck 39 runs off 30 balls, was later dismissed by Chakaravarthy, with Shubman Gill taking a brilliant catch at long-off.Steve Smith anchored Australia’s innings with a steady knock, forming crucial partnerships with Marnus Labuschagne, Carey, and Head to keep the scoreboard ticking. However, wickets at crucial junctures, including Smith’s dismissal by Shami, prevented Australia from crossing the 300-run mark.Australia’s lower order struggled to accelerate, with Nathan Ellis and Adam Zampa falling in the final overs. Shreyas Iyer’s sharp direct hit to run out Alex Carey in the 47th over was another highlight of India’s stellar fielding performance.

India’s Chase: Kohli Leads the Way

Chasing 265, India got off to a mixed start as openers Rohit Sharma (28) and Shubman Gill (8) were dismissed within the first ten overs. At 30/2, India looked vulnerable, but Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer steadied the innings with a crucial 91-run partnership.Iyer’s dismissal for 45 by Adam Zampa in the 27th over gave Australia a glimmer of hope, but Kohli continued to anchor the chase with calm and precision. Kohli, who brought up his 74th ODI fifty, also became the highest run-scorer for India in Champions Trophy history, surpassing Shikhar Dhawan’s tally of 701 runs.Kohli formed another vital partnership with Axar Patel, who contributed 27 runs before being bowled by Nathan Ellis. Kohli’s dismissal for 84 in the 43rd over, caught off Zampa, added tension to the chase, but Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul stepped up to finish the job.

The Final Push: Rahul and Pandya’s Heroics

With India needing 65 runs off the final 10 overs, the game was finely poised. Hardik Pandya smashed two sixes off Zampa and a four against Ellis to ease the pressure. Though Pandya was dismissed for 28 in the 48th over, Rahul ensured there were no further hiccups. He sealed the win in style with a towering six off Glenn Maxwell, sending Indian fans into celebration mode.

Key Performances

• Virat Kohli: 84 runs off 96 balls, the backbone of India’s chase. Kohli was named Player of the Match for his composed knock under pressure.
• KL Rahul: An unbeaten 42 off 34 balls, including the match-winning six.
• Mohammed Shami: 3/48, including the crucial wickets of Steve Smith and Nathan Ellis.
• Adam Zampa: 2/60, dismissed Kohli and Iyer to keep Australia in the game.

Historical Significance

With this win, India became the first team to qualify for the Champions Trophy final for the third consecutive time. The victory also served as revenge for their loss to Australia in the 2023 ODI World Cup final. India now holds the record for the highest successful chase against Australia in ICC ODI tournament knockouts, surpassing their previous record of 261 runs in the 2011 World Cup quarterfinal.

Quotes from the Captains

• Rohit Sharma (India): “We were calm and composed in our chase. Kohli and Rahul’s innings were crucial, and Hardik’s late flourish made a big difference. We’ll now focus on preparing for the final.”
• Steve Smith (Australia): “I thought the bowlers did a really good job, but we probably could have scored a few more runs. India played better in the crucial moments.”

Looking Ahead

India now awaits the winner of the South Africa vs. New Zealand semi-final. With Virat Kohli in sublime form and the team firing on all cylinders, India will head into the final with confidence as they look to lift the trophy for the third time. This victory not only highlights India’s ability to handle high-pressure games but also cements their status as one of the most consistent teams in ICC tournaments. Fans across the nation will now eagerly await the final match on March 9.