Australia posted a competitive total of 264 runs on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, during their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 semi-final against India at the Dubai International Stadium. This score, notable as the highest recorded so far in the Dubai leg of the tournament, puts pressure on the formidable Indian batting lineup to chase down the target.
Opting to bat first after winning the toss, Australia suffered early setbacks, losing Cooper Connolly for a duck, caught behind by KL Rahul off Mohammad Shami's bowling. Connolly's dismissal set the tone for India’s disciplined start, showcasing their characteristic pressure early on.
Travis Head quickly went after the Indian bowlers, scoring 39 runs off 33 deliveries before falling to Varun Chakaravarthy's spin, caught by Shubman Gill. His brisk start, coupled with the stabilization efforts by Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne, laid the groundwork for Australia’s innings. Labuschagne chipped in with 29 runs, but it was Smith who anchored the innings with grace and resilience.
Smith’s performance was marked by strategic shot selection across his 96-ball innings, where he scored 73 runs, including four boundaries and one six. Notably, he had moments of luck; at 13 runs, the ball rolled back onto his stumps without dislodging the bails, and at 36, he was dropped by Shami, who failed to convert a return catch. These incidents reflected the pressure of the match and allowed Smith to build significant momentum.
One of the key partnerships unfolded between Smith and Alex Carey, who added 54 runs off 58 balls. Carey, coming to the crease after Labuschagne's exit, took the initiative from the onset, contributing 61 runs off 57 balls with eight boundaries and one six. His ability to counterattack was pivotal, as he played bold shots, including inventive sweeps and powerful drives, often targeting the gaps against the Indian spinners. One such moment was particularly memorable when he swept Kuldeep Yadav for four, energizing the Australian innings.
Despite their growing total, Australia faced challenges as the innings progressed. After Smith’s departure, bowled by Shami, Australia seemed to lose their grip, highlighted by Glenn Maxwell’s low contribution of just seven runs before he was quickly dismissed by Axar Patel. The late order collapse was initiated by Shreyas Iyer's direct throw, which run out Carey. These dismissals led the Australian innings to falter as they quickly lost three wickets for just 25 runs.
Bowling-wise, India’s strategy was well-executed, especially by Mohammad Shami, whose final figures were 3 wickets for just 48 runs over ten overs—remarkably taking key wickets to pressure Australia throughout. Varun Chakaravarthy and Ravindra Jadeja supported Shami’s efforts with two wickets each, maintaining the pressure on the Australian batsmen.
According to reports, "Carey’s counterattacking knock of 61 off 57 balls, which included eight boundaries and a six, helped Australia recover from 144/4 to a more respectable total," showcasing the importance of his innings, especially when the team needed stability.
The pitch at Dubai International Stadium had been under scrutiny for its behavior through the tournament. With only slight grass coverage, it was expected to assist spin bowling, but Australia carefully navigated these conditions, ensuring they capitalized on the scoring opportunities as they arose. Smith’s experience on this surface and care to avoid risky sweeps were apparent, as he seemed to have identified the ideal way to score runs.
Against this backdrop, Australia has set itself up for potential success, yet the outcome now lies heavily on how India responds. With 265 runs to chase, India’s illustrious batting order will need to deliver, especially as they approach this pivotal semi-final stage. Will Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill provide the explosive start necessary to reach the promised land of the finals?
The second innings of this gripping match is expected to be just as exciting as the first, raising questions about the balance of power and the dominance of either side.