India Marches Into Champions Trophy Final With Win Over Australia

India secured a place in the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy final on Tuesday after a well-balanced performance led to a five-wicket victory over Australia in Dubai. The team will now wait for the winner of the South Africa vs. New Zealand semifinal.

Chasing 265, India faced early trouble when Shubman Gill was bowled for 8 by Ben Dwarshuis in the fifth over. Rohit Sharma had made a quick start but fell soon after for 28, trapped lbw by Cooper Connolly. That left India in a tricky position, but Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer steadied the chase with a crucial 91-run stand.

Iyer contributed 45 from 62 balls before Adam Zampa dismissed him. Kohli kept things under control, adding valuable runs alongside Axar Patel (27) and KL Rahul (42*). His composed 84 off 98 balls, including five boundaries, set the stage for a successful chase. When he fell in the 43rd over, India still needed 40 runs. Hardik Pandya (28 off 24) stepped up alongside Rahul, ensuring there were no more setbacks. Pandya’s aggressive hitting, including two sixes, made the final moments easier, and Rahul sealed the win with a six.

For Australia, Zampa and Nathan Ellis took two wickets each, while Dwarshuis and Connolly picked up one apiece.

Earlier, Australia opted to bat first but struggled against disciplined Indian bowling. Mohammed Shami made an early breakthrough, dismissing Connolly for a duck in the third over. Travis Head counterattacked with a quick 39 off 33 balls, hitting five fours and two sixes, before miscuing a shot to Shubman Gill off Varun Chakravarthy’s bowling.

Steve Smith anchored Australia’s innings with a composed 73 off 96 balls, building partnerships with Marnus Labuschagne (29) and Josh Inglis (11). However, India kept striking at regular intervals, preventing Australia from gaining full control. Alex Carey provided resistance with a well-made 61 off 57 deliveries, including eight fours and a six, before a run-out ended his innings.

Australia’s lower order crumbled, adding just 25 runs for the last four wickets. Shami led the Indian attack with 3-48, while Chakravarthy (2-49) and Ravindra Jadeja (2-40) kept the pressure on. Hardik Pandya and Axar Patel chipped in with a wicket each.

TEAM INDIA Player Ratings Vs. Australia

• Rohit Sharma – 6: Had some luck with two dropped chances but struggled to find his timing. His quick 28 gave India early momentum, but he fell trying to slog one across the line.
• Shubman Gill – 4: Played an unconvincing shot and chopped one onto the stumps. Took a good catch to dismiss Head but lacked solidity in his own innings.
• Virat Kohli – 9: Anchored the chase with 84 off 98 balls, keeping the scoreboard ticking. Survived a drop but eventually fell to a poor shot when India still needed 40 runs.
• Shreyas Iyer – 7.5: Played an important role in stabilizing the innings after two early wickets. Rotated strike well but fell attempting a cut on a ball that wasn’t there for the shot.
• KL Rahul – 8: Held his nerve and guided India home. His 42* included two sixes, one of which sealed the win.
• Hardik Pandya – 7: Struggled with the ball early on but compensated with some crucial big hits toward the end, shifting momentum in India’s favor.
• Axar Patel – 7: Dismissed Glenn Maxwell but was expensive with three fours and two sixes hit off his spell. Played an attacking knock to push India ahead in the chase.
• Ravindra Jadeja – 7: Kept things tight and picked up two wickets in the middle overs, putting Australia under pressure.
• Mohammed Shami – 8: Looked slightly off physically but still managed to take three wickets, including the crucial one of Steve Smith.
• Varun Chakravarthy – 6: Not at his best but remained difficult to read. Conceded 49 runs and took the important wicket of Head.
• Jasprit Bumrah – 6: Kept things in control but didn’t have a major impact on the wicket column.