Dubai: India secured their spot in the Champions Trophy final with a four-wicket victory over Australia in the first semi-final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.
With this triumph, India advanced to their third consecutive Champions Trophy final and will now face either South Africa or New Zealand, who are set to battle in the second semi-final in Lahore on Wednesday.
Chasing 265, India faced an early setback as Shubman Gill (8) was bowled by Ben Dwarshuis in the fifth over with 30 runs on the board.
Skipper Rohit Sharma played an aggressive cameo but was trapped lbw by Cooper Connolly after scoring 28 off 29 balls, including three boundaries and a six.
India recovered through a 91-run stand between Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer, which steadied the innings. Iyer contributed 45 off 62 balls before falling to Adam Zampa.
Kohli continued to anchor the chase with key partnerships—first with Axar Patel (27) and then KL Rahul, before eventually perishing for a match-winning 84 off 98 balls, laced with five boundaries.
A brisk 34-run stand between Hardik Pandya (28 off 24) and Rahul (unbeaten 42 off 34) took India to victory with four wickets and seven balls to spare.
For Australia, Zampa and Nathan Ellis took two wickets each, while Dwarshuis and Connolly grabbed one apiece.
Australia’s Batting Effort: Smith and Carey Shine
Earlier, Australia opted to bat first and managed 264 runs in 49.3 overs, with Steven Smith and Alex Carey hitting crucial half-centuries.
Australia suffered an early blow when Cooper Connolly was dismissed by Mohammed Shami for four in the third over.
Despite the early setback, Smith and Travis Head put on a 50-run stand before Head fell after scoring 39 off 33 balls.
Smith then forged key partnerships with Marnus Labuschagne (29) and Josh Inglis (11) before getting dismissed for 73 off 96 balls, featuring four fours and a six.
Australia struggled with wickets falling at regular intervals, but Alex Carey provided late resistance with a gritty 61 off 57 balls, hitting eight fours and a six.
For India, Shami led the bowling attack with 3 wickets, while Varun Chakravarthy and Ravindra Jadeja took two each. Hardik Pandya and Axar Patel also contributed with a wicket each.
With this victory, India now awaits their final opponent, which will be decided when South Africa takes on New Zealand in the second semi-final in Lahore. The final is set to be a thrilling encounter as India looks to clinch another Champions Trophy title.
