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ICC Champions Trophy 2025 | India VS Australia Match Highlights | Semifinal l Cricket

Virat Kohli executed a perfect batting display in a stiff 265-run chase as India beat Australia by 4 wickets in the ICC Champions Trophy semifinal. Kohli emphasised more on strike rotation in a slow Dubai track and scored 84 off 98 balls, an innings laced with just five 4s. He was involved in a crucial 91-run stand with Shreyas Iyer after India lost Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma inside the first powerplay. Apart from Kohli, no other batters could reach their half-century but a calculated innings by Iyer and later KL Rahul certainly helped India's cause. Iyer scored 45 off 62 balls, while Rahul returned unbeaten on 42 off 34 balls. Hardik Pandya too made massive contribution as he banged three 6s and one 4 in his 24-ball 28, easing some pressure when Australia were sniffing a late comeback. Earlier, the Indian bowlers did an excellent job and folded Australia for 264 in 49.3 overs after they won the toss and opted to bat. Steve Smith dug deep and scored 73 off 96 balls, which was the highest from the Australian camp. Alex Carey also made a significant contribution and knocked 61 off 57 balls. Meanwhile, India's biggest nemesis Travis Head managed 39 off 33 after being dropped by Mohammed Shami in the first over. The Indian quick was the leading wicket-taker from the Indian camp as he returned with three scalps and gave 48 runs in 10 overs. Varun Chakaravarthy and Ravindra Jadeja injected two blows each, while Pandya and Axar picked a wicket each.

first published: Mar 4, 2025 11:02 pm