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IND vs AUS Highlights: Kohli's 84 Helps India Defeat Ghosts Of 2023 WC To Book Champions Trophy Final Slot

Arnav Chopra

Virat Kohli vs Australia (Source: AP Photos)Virat Kohli vs Australia (Source: AP Photos)

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In a hard-fought encounter in Dubai, India defeated Australia in the first semi-final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Courtesy of Virat Kohli's 84, India went on to chase 265 with 11 deliveries and four wickets to spare.

Here’s the timeline of how IND vs AUS panned out in Dubai:

Smith Holds Australia Together As India Chip In With Regular Wickets

On a wicket that looked dry and slow, Australia won the toss and opted to bat first against India in the crucial semi-final encounter. Australian opener Travis Head made his way alongside Cooper Connolly, who replaced Matthew Short in the side after the injury.

However, the latter couldn't find success as he was dismissed by Mohammed Shami in the third over for a nine-ball duck. Nonetheless, this did not distract Head, who continued his merry ways against India, striking 39 off 33 deliveries with five fours and two sixes to trouble the Indian bowlers before Varun Chakravarthy sent him back on the second ball of his spell in the ninth over.

Australia were 54 for two and needed a solid score from someone, and it was against skipper Steve Smith, who played a defensive innings without giving too much to the bowlers. Smith showed remarkable resilience against the Indian spinners, who were bossing the game at that stage and were unable to rotate strike cleanly.

Alongside him, Marcus Labuschagne too spent some crucial time at the crease for his 36-ball 29, batting well against the spinners, but unfortunately, he was trapped in front of stumps by spinner Ravindra Jadeja in the 23rd over when Australia's score was 110 for the loss of three wickets.

Carey's 61, Smith's 73 Push Australia To 264 As Shami Gets Three

Soon after Labuschagne was dismissed, Jadeja sent Josh Inglis packing in the 27th over as the Aussies were sniffing trouble with four down for 144. Despite all the problems, Smith looked confident with his approach and did not play any false strokes to give India leverage.

Australia needed another solid stand after Smith-Labuschagne show, which was provided by middle-order wicketkeeper batter Alex Carey, who looked confident with his approach and batted alongside Smith for the fifth wicket as the duo combined to stitch a 54-run stand before Shami sent Smith back with a yorker as he stepped out to play a fierce cut shot.

Smith played a valuable 72-knock of 96 deliveries with four boundaries and a six, providing Australia a massive relief after breakthroughs at the other end.

When Smith departed, Australia's score was 198 for five and more trouble was coming in as big hitter Glenn Maxwell, who had just smashed a six against Axar Patel, was knocked over by the same bowler on the very next delivery for just seven. Later Ben Dwarshuis, who scored 19, provided some relief to the Aussies alongside Carey, who was batting decently against the Indian lineup.

Carey was eventually run out in the 48th over for 61 as Australia were bowled out for 264 in 49.3 overs. The batting looked much troubled apart from Smith and Carey while from the bowling, Mohammed Shami picked a three-wicket haul with Varun Chakravarthy and Ravindra Jadeja getting two apiece.

Kohli-Iyer Safeguard India After Both Openers Depart

Chasing 265 for victory, the Indian openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill, looking to avenge the 2023 World Cup final defeat, strode out to bat for the side. However, Gill was sent back for just eight by Ben Dwarshuis as he played back onto his stumps in the fifth over.

On the other hand, skipper Rohit Sharma continued his aggressive approach and struck a few boundaries to ease the pressure off their side. He was then joined by star batter Virat Kohli, who looked desperate to get some more runs under his belt. While Kohli was cautious with his approach, Rohit, on the other hand, looked to attack.

However, he was trapped in front of the stumps by Connolly in the eighth over, who sent him packing for 28. By the end of the eighth over after Rohit Sharma's departure, India was reduced to 2 for 43 and were in a similar situation to Australia's.

But again, to the rescue were the duo of Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer, who gave their everything for the side displaying class and quality against Australia's formidable bowling lineup. They batted rather slowly but found occasional boundaries to keep India in the chase as by the end of 26.2 overs, Shreyas was knocked over by Zampa for 45, with India's score being 134 for three.

This 91-run partnership between Kohli and Iyer provided India with a much-needed base for their score while the Aussies made blunders on the field, which is unlike their nature. Rohit Sharma was dropped twice in the powerplay, while Kohli, right before Iyer's dismissal, was dropped by Maxwell, giving a valuable life to the ace batter.

Kohli's 84, Hardik-Rahul's Powerful Blows Help India Book Final Berth

After Iyer departed, India were looking at another significant partnership, which they got with the help of Axar Patel, who scored 27 off 30 deliveries before getting knocked over by Nathan Ellis. While Kohli at the other end, raised to his half-century off 53 deliveries.

India were batting decently at that stage and making sure they ticked every box on the way. Kohli, who continued batting with his careful approach, provided a major headache to the Australian bowlers.

After Axar's departure, KL Rahul made his way to the crease and played a solid knock, remaining unbeaten till the end. Rahul played 34 deliveries for his 42-run unbeaten knock with two fours and two sixes, whereas Kohli was dismissed for 84 after facing 98 deliveries. Kohli, who was sent back in the 43rd over with 225 on the board, helped India get past a major hurdle.

On the other hand, Hardik Pandya ensured India finished the game without much trouble. Pandya's lusty blows took India even closer to victory as they reached 259 in no time in 47.5 overs when the right-hander went for a big shot but couldn't connect well.

Ultimately, Ravindra Jadeja and Rahul stayed at the crease to ensure they finished the game with 11 deliveries and four wickets to spare. With this victory, India defeated the ghosts of the 2023 World Cup against Australia. They'll now be playing in the final of the Champions Trophy 2025.