Dubai, March 4, 2025: A clinical bowling display, followed by a composed half-century from Virat Kohli, powered India to a commanding five-wicket victory over Australia in the first semi-final of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.
The triumph secured India’s third consecutive Champions Trophy final appearance. While the second semi-final between South Africa and New Zealand will take place in Lahore on Wednesday, the final will not be held in Pakistan due to India’s stance on not touring the country. Instead, the title decider is set to be played in Dubai, marking another game under the hybrid model adopted for the tournament.
Chasing 265, India endured an early setback as top-ranked ODI batter Shubman Gill (8) was clean bowled by Ben Dwarshuis in the fifth over with just 30 runs on the board. Skipper Rohit Sharma (28 off 29), who took an aggressive approach early on, was soon trapped lbw by Cooper Connolly, leaving India in a tricky position.
Veteran Virat Kohli then anchored the innings, stitching together a 91-run stand with Shreyas Iyer (45 off 62) before Iyer was dismissed by Adam Zampa. Kohli continued his resistance, forming crucial partnerships with Axar Patel (27) and *KL Rahul (42 off 34)**. He finally fell in the 43rd over after a brilliant 84 off 98 balls, featuring five boundaries.
A late flourish from Hardik Pandya (28 off 24) and Rahul ensured India comfortably crossed the finish line with seven balls to spare.
For Australia, Nathan Ellis and Adam Zampa picked up two wickets each, while Dwarshuis and Connolly claimed one apiece.
Earlier, after electing to bat first, Australia posted 264 before being bowled out in 49.3 overs, with Steve Smith (73 off 96) and Alex Carey (61 off 57) leading the charge.
Australia had a shaky start, losing Cooper Connolly (4) to Mohammed Shami in the third over. Travis Head (39 off 33) played an aggressive knock, hitting five fours and two sixes, but perished in the ninth over with 50 runs on the board.
Smith then stitched valuable partnerships with Marnus Labuschagne (29) and Josh Inglis (11), guiding Australia past 150 before falling in the 37th over. As wickets tumbled, Carey played a crucial rearguard innings, smashing eight fours and a six to push Australia past 250.
For India, Shami was the standout bowler, claiming 3/48. Varun Chakravarthy and Ravindra Jadeja took two wickets each, while Hardik Pandya and Axar Patel chipped in with a wicket apiece.
Final shifted to Dubai amid political standoff
With this emphatic win, India has not only secured a place in the final but also ensured that the title match will take place in Dubai instead of Pakistan. Citing political concerns, India has played all its matches in Dubai under the hybrid model, avoiding travel to Pakistan. Now, with their presence in the final, the showpiece event has been relocated out of Pakistan, adding another layer of controversy to the tournament.
India now awaits their opponent in the Champions Trophy 2025 final. Will it be South Africa or New Zealand? The answer will be revealed on Wednesday in Lahore.
