The pain of November 19, 2023, may have eased a little more for the majority of Indian cricket fans on Tuesday as the Men in Blue delivered a clinical and dominant performance to overcome the Australian challenge in the semi-final of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. The scars of that World Cup final loss at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad may not have completely healed, but India landed a significant knockout blow on Australia in a major ICC one-day international tournament for the first time in 14 years. This victory served as a sweet form of redemption for Rohit Sharma and his men, who had been waiting for an opportunity to set the record straight against the same opposition that had shattered their dreams on home soil.
Australia, struggling with injuries to key players, including full-time captain Pat Cummins, tried to punch above their weight with a spirited effort. However, the gulf in class between the two teams was evident, particularly when stand-in skipper Steve Smith seemed bereft of ideas as his inexperienced bowling attack struggled to contain chase master Virat Kohli. Without their famed pace trio of Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood, Australia failed to put India's formidable batting line-up under sustained pressure after posting a total of 264, which appeared to be at least 20-30 runs short of a truly competitive score.
The pitch at the Dubai International Stadium, which had been typically sluggish throughout the tournament, proved to be slightly more favourable for batting than those encountered by India in the group-stage matches. Given the conditions, Australia would have been extremely disappointed not to have posted a more imposing total, especially after looking set to cross 300 at one stage. At 110 for 2 in the 23rd over, they appeared well-placed to push towards a formidable target, but a disciplined Indian bowling effort, led by veteran pacer Mohammed Shami, halted their progress in the latter stages and prevented them from capitalizing on their solid platform.
Virat Kohli may have narrowly missed out on a well-deserved century, falling for a brilliantly composed 84, but by the time he was dismissed in the 43rd over, the game was well and truly sealed in India’s favour. Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul showed great composure under pressure, ensuring that India completed the chase with relative ease, wrapping up the match with 11 balls to spare. The victory was yet another testament to India’s evolution as a team capable of handling high-pressure situations with maturity and poise.
After the match, Kohli played down the emotions of missing out on a personal milestone, emphasizing the team’s success over individual records.
"I have never focused on those things. When you don't think of those milestones, they happen. If I get to the three-figure mark, great, but the win is important. For me, those things don't matter anymore," said Kohli, who was named the Player of the Match for his match-winning knock.
This win also carried historical significance, as India scripted history by registering the highest-ever successful run chase against Australia in the knockout stages of an ICC tournament. The Men in Blue went past the finish line in emphatic fashion, with KL Rahul delivering his own moment of redemption by hitting the winning runs with a massive six, sending the Indian fans into a frenzy.
With this victory, India reached the final of the ICC Champions Trophy for the third consecutive edition, having won the title in 2013 under MS Dhoni’s leadership but falling short in the 2017 final against Pakistan. It also marked India's third consecutive final appearance in ICC white-ball tournaments, following their heartbreaking runner-up finishes in both the 2023 ODI World Cup and the 2024 T20 World Cup.
A PERFECT CHASE AFTER A WOBBLY START
Despite losing their prolific openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill relatively early in the innings, India never seemed to be in real trouble during their chase. Kohli and Shreyas Iyer steadied the ship with a composed 91-run partnership in the middle overs, navigating the Australian bowling attack with a mix of caution and controlled aggression. Both batsmen played risk-free cricket, rotating the strike efficiently while capitalizing on loose deliveries to keep the scoreboard ticking.
India did endure a slight hiccup when Shubman Gill was bowled by left-arm pacer Ben Dwarshuis for just 8 in the fifth over. Rohit Sharma, who had a few moments of luck with dropped catches, could not make the most of his reprieves and departed after a scratchy 28, failing to stamp his authority on the game. His early exit left India needing a partnership to regain control of the chase, and that’s exactly what Kohli and Iyer provided.
Shreyas Iyer, known for his aggressive intent against spinners, adapted brilliantly to the situation, playing a patient knock of 45 off 62 balls. He resisted the urge to take unnecessary risks against Adam Zampa and Marcus Stoinis, instead focusing on building a foundation alongside Kohli. Their efforts ensured that India never fell behind the required rate, even after Zampa broke the partnership in the 27th over.
Despite the loss of Iyer, India remained on course thanks to a crucial cameo from Axar Patel, who played an important role in keeping the momentum going. Batting at No. 5, Axar took on the role of the aggressor, counter-attacking the Australian spinners with a quickfire 27. His knock may not have been massive in terms of numbers, but its impact was undeniable, as it eased the pressure on Kohli and ensured that India remained in control.
NO TRAVIS HEAD-ACHE FOR INDIA
Earlier in the day, Mohammed Shami stepped up brilliantly to lead the Indian bowling attack in the absence of star pacer Jasprit Bumrah, delivering an incisive opening spell that set the tone for the innings. Shami struck an early blow by removing makeshift opener Cooper Connolly for a duck, putting Australia on the back foot right away.
However, the biggest threat to India’s plans came in the form of Travis Head, who had been India’s nemesis in the 2023 World Cup final. Head looked ominous once again, racing to 39 off just 33 balls with a flurry of boundaries and two big sixes. He seemed to be replaying his Ahmedabad heroics, taking on India’s spinners with confidence.
Just when it looked like India was in for another Travis Head onslaught, they unleashed their X-factor—mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy. Brought into the attack in the ninth over, Varun struck immediately, outfoxing Head with his very first delivery and knocking him over. The dismissal was a massive breakthrough for India, who breathed a collective sigh of relief as they saw Head walk back to the pavilion.
Steve Smith then took charge, stitching together a crucial 56-run stand with Marnus Labuschagne. The duo looked comfortable, especially against spin, but Ravindra Jadeja turned the tide with two vital strikes in the middle overs. Jadeja first removed Labuschagne and then followed it up with the wicket of Josh Inglis, causing a mini-collapse in the Australian batting line-up.
Despite a fighting knock from Alex Carey, who played some audacious strokes to keep Australia in the game, the Indian bowlers tightened their grip towards the end. Shami’s experience came into play once again as he dismissed Smith with a well-directed full toss, while Axar Patel accounted for Glenn Maxwell just a delivery after being hit for a six.
India then capped off their stellar performance with a moment of brilliance in the field, as Shreyas Iyer’s direct hit ran out Carey in the 48th over. The dismissal denied Australia the finishing flourish they so desperately needed, and the lack of those extra 20 runs proved to be the difference between victory and defeat.
With this win, India not only secured a place in the final but also reaffirmed their credentials as the most dominant white-ball team in world cricket. Now, they stand on the brink of history, just one step away from lifting another ICC trophy.
