Champions Trophy: Kohli Steers India to Final with Victory Over Australia

Veteran batsman Virat Kohli rolled back the years with an elegant 84 as India successfully chased down a target of 265 to defeat Australia by four wickets in the first semi-final of the Champions Trophy on Tuesday.

Although Kohli was dismissed in the final overs, KL Rahul’s composed 42 not out guided India to victory with 11 balls to spare at the Dubai International Stadium.

India now prepares to face either South Africa or New Zealand in the final on Sunday, with all of India’s matches having taken place at the Dubai venue after they opted not to tour Pakistan for the tournament. If India had failed to qualify, Lahore would have hosted the final instead.

Australia Sets 264, But Kohli Guides India to Final with Crucial Knock

Australia won the toss and chose to bat, setting a challenging target of 265 after posting the highest total of the tournament so far — 264 all out — at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Key contributions came from skipper Steve Smith, who scored 73, and Alex Carey, who added 61.

In response, India was off to a rocky start, losing two early wickets. However, Virat Kohli (84) and Shreyas Iyer (45) steadied the ship with a 91-run partnership, putting India back on track.

Cooper Connolly, who replaced the injured Matthew Short in the squad, struck early by trapping India’s captain Rohit Sharma lbw for 28, claiming his first-ever ODI wicket.

Kohli and Iyer then weathered a tough Australian attack that lacked key fast bowlers, including Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood due to injury. Despite their inexperience, Adam Zampa took the crucial wicket of Iyer, and Nathan Ellis sent Axar Patel packing for 27, leaving India at 189-5.

Kohli, a known master chaser who had recently scored an unbeaten 100 in India’s win over Pakistan, remained steady. He was dropped by Glenn Maxwell on 51 off Connolly, but Zampa ended his knock when he was dismissed for 84, caught by Ben Dwarshuis at long-on. With India at 225-5, Australia remained hopeful of a comeback.

However, KL Rahul (42*) kept his composure, and with Hardik Pandya (28), who hit three sixes, the pair added 34 runs off 31 balls to ease the pressure. Ellis dismissed Pandya, caught again at long-on, but Rahul sealed the win with a six, sparking celebrations among the largely Indian crowd.

Earlier, Australia’s innings saw them lose regular wickets but also build valuable partnerships, including a 50-plus stand between Smith and Marnus Labuschagne (29), and another between Smith and Carey.

India’s pace spearhead Mohammed Shami stood out with impressive figures of 3-48 as Australia’s innings was wrapped up in 49.3 overs. Spinners Varun Chakravarthy and Ravindra Jadeja also contributed, each taking two wickets.

Travis Head provided Australia with a quick start, scoring 39 before being dismissed for a duck.

India’s victory was a reversal of their recent loss to Australia in the 2023 ODI World Cup final in Ahmedabad. They will now await the winner of the second semi-final, which is set to take place on Wednesday in Lahore.