Strategic partnerships and perseverance marked India’s impressive chase. Key partners contributed crucial runs to stabilize the innings effectively. Rahul and Pandya provided essential finishing touches in the match. The team awaited the semi-final winner for the showdown between the Indian and Australian men’s Cricket teams. Their unwavering determination and planning promised success in the tournament.
Kohli delivered a highly composed innings in a crucial chase. He scored 84 runs off 98 challenging balls in Dubai. His innings eased tension during a demanding match against Australia. Kohli’s outstanding performance decisively earned him the prestigious Player-of-the-Match award in the semi-final of CT 2025. He consistently demonstrated strong leadership and remarkable resilience throughout challenges.
Kohli meticulously tailored his strategy according to challenging pitch conditions. He skillfully focused on rotating the strike and building partnerships. His cautious approach minimized risks while effectively controlling the game’s pace. Kohli swiftly adapted his tactics just like in previous encounters. He consistently prioritized building strong partnerships to keep pressure on opponents.
Teams Composition
Australia: 1 Travis Head, 2 Cooper Connolly, 3 Steven Smith (capt), 4 Marnus Labuschagne, 5 Josh Inglis (wk), 6 Alex Carey, 7 Glenn Maxwell, 8 Ben Dwarshuis, 9 Nathan Ellis, 10 Tanveer Sangha, 11 Adam Zampa
1st Semi-Final (D/N), Dubai International Cricket Stadium, March 04, 2025, ICC Champions Trophy
India won by 4 wickets (with 11 balls remaining)
Australia (50 ovs maximum)
| Batting | R | B | M | 4s | 6s | SR | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Travis Head
|
c Shubman Gill b Varun | 39 | 33 | 46 | 5 | 2 | 118.18 | ||
|
Cooper Connolly
|
c †Rahul b Mohammed Shami | 0 | 9 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | ||
|
Steven Smith (c)
|
b Mohammed Shami | 73 | 96 | 133 | 4 | 1 | 76.04 | ||
|
Marnus Labuschagne
|
lbw b Jadeja | 29 | 36 | 49 | 2 | 1 | 80.55 | ||
|
Josh Inglis †
|
c Kohli b Jadeja | 11 | 12 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 91.66 | ||
|
Alex Carey
|
run out (Iyer) | 61 | 57 | 84 | 8 | 1 | 107.01 | ||
|
Glenn Maxwell
|
b Patel | 7 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 140.00 | ||
|
Ben Dwarshuis
|
c Iyer b Varun | 19 | 29 | 30 | 1 | 1 | 65.51 | ||
|
Adam Zampa
|
b Pandya | 7 | 12 | 22 | 0 | 0 | 58.33 | ||
|
Nathan Ellis
|
c Kohli b Mohammed Shami | 10 | 7 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 142.85 | ||
|
Tanveer Sangha
|
not out | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 100.00 | ||
| Extras | (w 7) | 7 | |||||||
| Total |
49.3 Ov (RR: 5.33)
|
264 | |||||||
|
Fall of wickets: 1-4 (Cooper Connolly, 2.6 ov), 2-54 (Travis Head, 8.2 ov), 3-110 (Marnus Labuschagne, 22.3 ov), 4-144 (Josh Inglis, 26.6 ov), 5-198 (Steven Smith, 36.4 ov), 6-205 (Glenn Maxwell, 37.3 ov), 7-239 (Ben Dwarshuis, 45.2 ov), 8-249 (Alex Carey, 47.1 ov), 9-262 (Nathan Ellis, 48.6 ov), 10-264 (Adam Zampa, 49.3 ov) • DRS
|
|||||||||
| Bowling | O | M | R | W | ECON | 0s | 4s | 6s | WD | NB | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Mohammed Shami
|
10 | 0 | 48 | 3 | 4.80 | 34 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 | |
|
Hardik Pandya
|
5.3 | 0 | 40 | 1 | 7.27 | 17 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 0 | |
|
Kuldeep Yadav
|
8 | 0 | 44 | 0 | 5.50 | 26 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | |
|
Varun Chakravarthy
|
10 | 0 | 49 | 2 | 4.90 | 28 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
|
Axar Patel
|
8 | 1 | 43 | 1 | 5.37 | 25 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
|
Ravindra Jadeja
|
8 | 1 | 40 | 2 | 5.00 | 23 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
India (T: 265 runs from 50 ovs)
| Batting | R | B | M | 4s | 6s | SR | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Rohit Sharma (c)
|
lbw b Connolly | 28 | 29 | 33 | 3 | 1 | 96.55 | ||
|
Shubman Gill
|
b Dwarshuis | 8 | 11 | 20 | 1 | 0 | 72.72 | ||
|
Virat Kohli
|
c Dwarshuis b Zampa | 84 | 98 | 135 | 5 | 0 | 85.71 | ||
|
Shreyas Iyer
|
b Zampa | 45 | 62 | 60 | 3 | 0 | 72.58 | ||
|
Axar Patel
|
b Ellis | 27 | 30 | 27 | 1 | 1 | 90.00 | ||
|
KL Rahul †
|
not out | 42 | 34 | 60 | 2 | 2 | 123.52 | ||
|
Hardik Pandya
|
c Maxwell b Ellis | 28 | 24 | 24 | 1 | 3 | 116.66 | ||
|
Ravindra Jadeja
|
not out | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 200.00 | ||
| Extras | (w 3) | 3 | |||||||
| Total |
48.1 Ov (RR: 5.54)
|
267/6 | |||||||
|
Did not bat: Mohammed Shami,
Kuldeep Yadav,
Varun Chakravarthy
|
|||||||||
|
Fall of wickets: 1-30 (Shubman Gill, 4.6 ov), 2-43 (Rohit Sharma, 7.5 ov), 3-134 (Shreyas Iyer, 26.2 ov), 4-178 (Axar Patel, 34.6 ov), 5-225 (Virat Kohli, 42.4 ov), 6-259 (Hardik Pandya, 47.5 ov) • DRS
|
|||||||||
| Bowling | O | M | R | W | ECON | 0s | 4s | 6s | WD | NB | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Ben Dwarshuis
|
7 | 0 | 39 | 1 | 5.57 | 20 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
|
Nathan Ellis
|
10 | 0 | 49 | 2 | 4.90 | 31 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 | |
|
Cooper Connolly
|
8 | 0 | 37 | 1 | 4.62 | 21 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
|
Adam Zampa
|
10 | 0 | 60 | 2 | 6.00 | 25 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | |
|
Tanveer Sangha
|
6 | 0 | 41 | 0 | 6.83 | 15 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
|
Glenn Maxwell
|
6.1 | 0 | 35 | 0 | 5.67 | 12 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
|
Travis Head
|
1 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 6.00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Australian Men’s Cricket Team vs India National Cricket Team Match Scorecard Timeline
| 🕒 Time | 🎯 Event | 📌 Detailed Description & Match Impact |
|---|---|---|
| 2:03 pm | 🎲 Toss: Smith chooses to bat | Steven Smith wins the toss and will bat first on a dry Dubai pitch, predicting spin dominance later. Rohit Sharma admits relief from losing the toss but is uncertain about pitch behavior. |
| 2:41 pm | 🔻 Head Dropped by Shami | Shami drops Travis Head early at zero. Ricky Ponting highlights how costly dropping an aggressive Head could become. Head capitalizes immediately, accelerating quickly thereafter. |
| 3:01 pm | 🚀 Head Fires Early | Head attacks Mohammed Shami, hitting three consecutive boundaries. His aggressive batting forced India to make early tactical changes. |
| 3:16 pm | ✨ Varun removes Head first ball | Varun Chakravarthy dismisses Travis Head immediately; critical breakthrough halts Australia’s rapid start (53/1 in 8 overs). |
| 3:56 pm | 🍀 Smith survives lucky moment | Steven Smith survives as an inside edge hits stumps, but bails remain intact. Crucial luck favors Smith, keeping Australia steady early in the innings. |
| 4:01 pm | 🌀 Australia targets pace bowlers | Steven Smith aggressively charges Mohammed Shami and survives a dropped catch by the bowler. Australia aims to dominate India’s seamers. |
| 4:09 pm | 🔥 Jadeja removes Labuschagne | Ravindra Jadeja dismisses Labuschagne lbw, slowing Australia’s momentum. Jadeja’s disciplined spin bowling regains control for India in middle overs. |
| 4:21 pm | 🌟 Smith reaches vital fifty | Steven Smith anchors Australia’s innings expertly, reaching fifty and managing pressure skillfully despite losing partners regularly at the other end. |
| 4:59 pm | 💪 Smith-Carey partnership reaches 50 | Carey partners Smith brilliantly, aggressively scoring to lift Australia’s run-rate. Partnership revitalizes innings after middle-order dismissals. |
| 5:01 pm | ⚡ Smith and Maxwell dismissed quickly | Mohammed Shami dismisses Steven Smith unexpectedly off a full toss; Axar Patel removes Maxwell soon after. Australia suddenly struggles from a comfortable position (target drops from around 280 to near 250). |
| 5:27 pm | 🎖️ Carey hits valuable half-century | Alex Carey skillfully counters India’s spinners, employing sweeps and innovative strokes. His aggressive batting helps Australia regain momentum temporarily. |
| 5:48 pm | 🎯 Carey Run-out (Shreyas Iyer direct hit) | Shreyas Iyer’s brilliant direct hit from deep square leg removes Alex Carey. Carey’s dismissal slows Australia’s innings significantly and limits the potential total below 280. |
| 5:59 pm | 🏏 Australia finish at 264 | Australia ends its innings at 264 runs. Steven Smith (73) and Carey (61) lead the scoring, while Shami’s crucial 3 wickets limit Australia’s total significantly. |
Second Innings
| 6:38 pm | 🔻 Rohit Sharma dropped early (13 runs) | Rohit Sharma survives an easy catch dropped by Connolly. Australia misses a critical early chance to pressure India’s chase. |
| 6:52 pm | 🚩 Gill falls early | Shubman Gill was bowled by Dwarshuis, leaving India briefly under early pressure. Australia sees an opportunity to create momentum swing. |
| 7:03 pm | 🏅 Connolly traps Rohit lbw | Cooper Connolly dismisses Rohit Sharma lbw, redeeming earlier dropped catch. A huge wicket briefly revives Australian hopes in the semi-final. |
| 7:57 pm | 🎖️ Kohli steadies India’s chase | Kohli steadily builds innings, targeting spin and minimizing risks. His singles-based strategy stabilizes India’s chase, confidently reducing the required run rate. |
| 8:05 pm | 🛡️ Kohli dropped; Iyer dismissed | Maxwell dropped Kohli; Shreyas Iyer was bowled by Zampa soon after. India was slightly shaken, but Kohli’s survival proved crucial. |
| 8:15 pm | 🚀 Axar counter-attacks | Axar Patel bats aggressively, hits boundaries, and builds a valuable 44-run stand. His pinch-hitting role significantly eases the pressure off Kohli. |
| 8:37 pm | 🎳 Axar dismissed by Ellis | Nathan Ellis bowls Axar Patel, breaking a valuable partnership. Australia’s reverse-swing bowling briefly revives the contest as India now needs 87 from 90 balls. |
| 9:03 pm | 💥 Rahul accelerates chase dramatically | KL Rahul attacks Sangha and Zampa, significantly reducing the required runs. His decisive boundaries put India in a substantial winning position (41 off 46 balls). |
| 9:06 pm | ❗ Kohli dismissed by Zampa | Adam Zampa removes Virat Kohli for 84 runs, temporarily energizing Australia. Despite the loss, Kohli’s innings have placed India comfortably near target. |
| 9:22 pm | 🔥 Ellis restricts India | Nathan Ellis delivers disciplined reverse-swing bowling, giving only 1 run. He briefly puts pressure back on India by executing pinpoint yorkers under stress. |
| 9:26 pm | 💥 Hardik seals India’s victory | Hardik Pandya launches Adam Zampa for two consecutive sixes. India comfortably secures semi-final victory, advancing confidently into the Champions Trophy final. |
Match Analysis
India defeated Australia in the ICC knockout stages, which is historically Australia’s domain. Virat Kohli, scoring 84 runs off 98 balls, anchored India’s chase. His innings was composed, assured, and vintage in its execution. Kohli effortlessly handled spin bowling, which was a recent challenge for him. Out of 70 spin deliveries faced, he smoothly accumulated 63 runs. Despite scoring only 12 boundary runs, Kohli consistently rotated the strike.
His clever batting led Australia to mistakes, including wasting a review. He also skillfully capitalized on overthrows from direct hits by opponents. Kohli celebrated teammates’ boundaries enthusiastically, demonstrating leadership and team spirit. His composed innings guided India steadily toward the match-winning target.
Kohli’s performance showcased class, patience, skill, and exceptional situational awareness. This brilliant innings clearly illustrated why Kohli remains an elite batsman. His calmness under pressure highlighted India’s improving stature in ICC tournaments.
Australia’s Tactical Misjudgment and Bowling Struggles
Australia’s bowling attack was severely weakened without Cummins, Starc, and Hazlewood. The Dubai pitch, excellent for batting, didn’t assist their spin strategy. Captain Steven Smith included six spin options, hoping pitch deterioration later. However, India’s ease in chasing down the total proved otherwise. Australia’s tactical gamble on spin bowlers thus largely failed.
Their bowlers struggled to effectively contain Kohli and India’s confident batsmen. The absence of Australia’s frontline seamers impacted match outcomes. Smith’s initial strategy of batting first backfired in critical match moments. He expected conditions to deteriorate, but India’s batters remained comfortable throughout, as they do in significant matches against Pakistan or New Zealand in the third group stage match.
Australia’s spin-heavy approach lacked the incisiveness needed to stop India’s momentum. Their inexperienced bowling unit visibly struggled to build sustained pressure. Ultimately, Australia misread the conditions, surrendering advantage to India’s capable lineup. Tactical errors and missing key bowlers significantly hurt Australia’s semifinal aspirations.
Smith’s Resilient Batting and Crucial Dismissal
Steven Smith batted confidently, countering India’s potent spin bowling effectively. He showcased exceptional skill and adaptability during middle overs batting conditions. Unlike other teams, Smith didn’t allow India’s spinners to dominate him. He expertly managed strike rotation, cleverly countering spin bowling challenges. Smith confidently struck Varun Chakravarthy through cover for decisive boundaries.
He adjusted beautifully after initially struggling against Kuldeep Yadav’s googly. Despite initial uncertainties, Smith eventually launched Kuldeep confidently for sixes. His mastery forced India into desperate moves, turning towards pace bowlers. However, a rare mistake against Mohammed Shami cost Smith dearly.
Unexpectedly missing a Shami full toss ended Smith’s impressive innings abruptly. His dismissal was pivotal, significantly shifting momentum back towards India. Losing Smith immediately exposed Australia’s fragile lower batting order dramatically. Smith’s dismissal marked a crucial turning point, setting India’s eventual victory, as they missed the final in Narendra Modi Stadium on Nov 19, 2023.
Conclusion
India’s bowling unit provided decisive breakthroughs during critical match junctures. Varun Chakravarthy immediately justified selection by dismissing dangerous Travis Head early. His wicket helped halt Australia’s rapid early boundary-scoring spree. Axar Patel dismantled Glenn Maxwell’s defenses with precise spin-bowling accuracy.
Maxwell’s dismissal prematurely exposed Australia’s weaker lower batting order. India’s bowlers strategically exploited this opportunity, building crucial late pressure. However, Alex Carey bravely resisted India’s bowling attack impressively later. Carey scored a fluent, boundary-filled 61 off just 57 balls. He cleverly manipulated India’s field settings, repeatedly finding scoring gaps.
His innovative shots included aggressive reverse sweeps and confident straight hits. Unfortunately, Carey lacked consistent support from Australia’s lower-order batsmen. His courageous innings alone couldn’t provide Australia with the desired competitive total. India’s timely breakthroughs and disciplined bowling efforts effectively restricted Australia’s ambitions. Their bowling strategies significantly contributed to India’s impressive semifinal triumph.
