India captain Rohit Sharma expressed fulfillment after his team defeated Australia by four wickets on March 4, 2025, at the Dubai International Stadium, ensuring their place in the ICC Men's Champions Trophy final. The victory was significant as it marks India's third consecutive final appearance, with the championship match scheduled for March 9, 2025.
Chasing a target of 265 runs, India showcased strong batting performance, anchored by Virat Kohli's remarkable innings of 84 runs off 98 balls. Along with Kohli, Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul also made important contributions, scoring 45 and 42 runs respectively. Sharma emphasized the importance of having depth in both bowling and batting, stating, "That is something I really wanted, to have six bowling options and then batting till No. 8 as well. This is something we discussed..." This tactical approach paid off handsomely against Australia.
The Indian bowlers played their part effectively, restricting Australia to 264 runs. Mohammed Shami was instrumental, taking three wickets for 38 runs, complemented by Varun Chakravarthy and Ravindra Jadeja, who each claimed two wickets. Rohit noted, "Halfway through the game, we felt it was a reasonable score, and we have to bat really really well. I thought we were very clinical with the bat." The victory came with 11 balls to spare, reinforcing India's commanding position.
After hitting the winning six off the bowling of Glenn Maxwell, KL Rahul was seen bursting with joy, celebrating with his teammates. His expressive reaction marked a significant turnaround from the criticism he faced after the 2023 ODI World Cup final, where he had encountered difficulties. The atmosphere was jubilant, with Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma sharing laughter and hugs, relishing their successful run to another final.
Reflecting on the match, Australian captain Steve Smith admitted his team fell short of what could have been a more competitive total, believing they needed to score at least 280 runs. He shared, "If we had 280-plus, it could have been different," acknowledging the challenges posed by the wicket during play.
The upcoming final promises to be thrilling, with India poised to face the winner of the second semi-final between South Africa and New Zealand, which will take place on March 5, 2025. Rohit Sharma mentioned the importance of having all players in form as they approach the final showdown, indicating his hope for continued success.
Overall, India's performance against Australia demonstrated both tactical awareness and individual brilliance, setting the stage for what promises to be another exciting encounter on cricket's biggest stage.