IN PHOTOS | The emotional victory: Best moments from the field as India exorcise Australia ghosts
Virat Kohli did not finish the chase for once but his measured 84-run knock steered India into their fifth Champions Trophy final with a clinical four-wicket win over an under-strength and profligate Australia in the first last-four clash on Wednesday (Photos: AFP/X)
Updated on : 04 March,2025 10:45 PM IST | Compiled by : Srijanee Majumdar
Kohli celebrates with teammates after the dismissal of Australian captain Steve Smith. Smith reached his half-centuries in 68 balls, with four boundaries, continuing his fine run in knockouts. However, Australia's aspirations for a 300-plus total took a massive dent as Shami cleaned up Smith's stumps for 73 in 96 balls, with four boundaries and a six. Australia was 198/5 in 36.4 overs.
On the second delivery of the ninth over of the first innings, Varun Chakravarthy bowled a perfectly pitched ball on the off-stump line. Travis Head, aiming to continue his attacking spree, planted his front foot and attempted to clear the long-off fence. But the shot didn’t come off as planned. Instead of the sweet spot of the bat, Head made contact with the bottom half, resulting in a mistimed shot. The ball ballooned high into the air, sailing toward the right of long-off.
Shubman Gill, who had positioned himself in the perfect spot, sprinted toward the ball with impressive speed and agility. With eyes fixed on the sky, Gill leaped to make a stunning catch, sending Head back to the pavilion. The stadium erupted in applause, with Rohit Sharma being visibly delighted, pumping his fists in celebration. Virat Kohli, on the other hand, gave Head a fiery send-off as he made his way off the field.
Kohli celebrates the fall of Glenn Maxwell's wicket with teammate Axar Patel. Patel did what he does best as was seen in the way Australia's power-hitter Maxwell perished to a fine straight delivery from him for seven runs in five balls. Australia were 205/6 in 37.3 overs.
India's nemesis Travis Head eased off some pressure after Australia were off to a poor start, hitting Hardik Pandya for a four and a six and then smashing a hat-trick of boundaries against Shami. He continued his assault for a while until Varun Chakravarthy was introduced to the attack. The spinner, who had taken a fifer in the previous match, once again emerged as a hero, getting the crucial wicket of Head for 39 in 33 balls, with four boundaries and two sixes. Shubman Gill completed a fine catch at long-off. Australia were 54/2 in 8.2 overs.
After the departure of Steve Smith, Alex Carey stepped up and played a crucial knock, scoring 61 runs off 57 balls. He looked dangerous in the middle, and India knew they needed his wicket to halt Australia's momentum. In the 48th over, Carey attempted to take a second run to keep the strike but was caught short of his ground. As he attempted to complete the run, the ball was initially heading towards Varun Chakravarthy, but Shreyas Iyer's quick reflexes allowed him to swoop in, collect the ball, and fire a direct hit at the stumps. Carey was left stranded, and the stumps were shattered just before he could make it back. The Indian players erupted in joy, rushing to surround Iyer in celebration of the pivotal breakthrough.
India's seasoned seamer Mohammed Shami lived up to his title of 'Mr ICC' and took another step towards extending his era of dominance in the ODI marquee events with a scorching spell on Wednesday. Shami flexed his clinical record in ICC ODI knockout matches in the pulsating Champions Trophy semi-final clash between India and Australia, two cricketing behemoths. He became the third-highest wicket-taker for India after his searing spell rocked Australia and forced the Baggy Greens to bundle out on 264. With another clinical outing, Shami returned with figures of 3/48, taking his tally to 13 scalps in five ICC ODI knockout matches at a staggering average of 19.76.
After India lost both its openers, Kohli alongside Iyer took stock against an inexperienced Australian attack missing their top fast bowlers including Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood to injuries. But the next line of bowlers stood up as leg-spinner Adam Zampa bowled Iyer before pace bowler Nathan Ellis rattled the stumps of Axar Patel for 27. Kohli, known as a master chaser who recently hit an unbeaten 100 in India's win over arch-rivals Pakistan on February 23, stood firm in another stand with wicketkeeper-batsman Rahul, rolling back the years with a polished 84 as India pulled off a tense chase on Tuesday.
Arguably the most heartwarming moment of the match, Virat Kohli is spotted embracing Rohit Sharma in a poignant display of camaraderie after Hardik Pandya’s late cameo steered India to the Champions Trophy final.
