DUBAI: Virat Kohli, Hardik Pandya blitz helped India to beat Australia in the 1st Semi-Final of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 here at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.
India chased a challenging total of 265 on a fresh Dubai pitch in 48.1 overs on the loss of six wickets.
In pursuit of the target, the Men in Blue lost both of their openers inside power play. Rohit Sharma (28) and Shubman Gill (8) were dismissed in a short span of time.
More to follow….
Earlier, Steve Smith and Alex Carey’s half-centuries set India a target of 265 in 50 overs.
After opting to bat, Australia were bowled out for 264 in 49.3 overs.
Former champions had a poor start as their new opener, Cooper Connolly, was dismissed for a duck after playing nine deliveries.
After the first wicket, Head and Steve Smith added a quick-fire stand of 50 runs. Travis Head smashed five fours and two sixes in his 39 off 33 deliveries before being dismissed off Varun Chakravarthy.
Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel
Australia lost wickets at regular intervals, but Steve Smith remained firm at one end and kept the scoreboard ticking with crucial partnerships.
He formed a crucial 54-run partnership with Alex Carey for the fifth wicket, bringing Australia close to 200 runs.
Smith remained the top scorer with his gritty knock of 73 runs, which featured four fours and one six.
After Smith’s departure in the 37 overs, Alex Carey took the charge and helped Australia reach a competitive total. He scored 61 off 59 deliveries, with eight fours and one six.
Mohammed Shami was India’s standout bowler, taking three wickets, while Varun Chakravarthy and Ravindra Jadeja bagged two wickets each.
Catch every Champions Trophy update here!
Playing XIs
Australia: Travis Head, Josh Inglis (wk), Steve Smith (c), Marnus Labuschagne, Cooper Connolly, Alex Carey, Glenn Maxwell, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Tanveer Sangha, Adam Zampa
India: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, KL Rahul (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy
READ: Pakistan head coach explains Babar-Rizwan’s exclusion from T20I squad