India clinched their place in the ICC Champions Trophy final by defeating Australia by four wickets on March 4, 2025, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The Indian team, led by captain Rohit Sharma, successfully chased down Australia's total of 264, with Virat Kohli at the helm, contributing 84 runs to secure the victory.
This win marked India's third consecutive appearance in the Champions Trophy final, as they moved confidently through the tournament. They will face either New Zealand or South Africa, who compete later for the chance to challenge India for the title.
Kohli, who exhibited remarkable composure and skill during the innings, reached 84 runs off 98 balls before he was caught by Adam Zampa, attempting to push the pace with just 40 runs required from 44 balls. During his innings, he formed significant partnerships, most critically with Shreyas Iyer, who contributed 45 runs. Together, they constructed a pivotal 91-run stand for the third wicket, helping to stabilize the innings after the early loss of both Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma.
Despite initial setbacks, with India stumbling to 43-2 after losing Gill for just 8 runs and Sharma for 28 runs, Kohli's presence was reassuring. His ability to rotate the strike and build partnerships kept India in the chase. Kohli was dropped on 51 by Glenn Maxwell, which proved to be costly for Australia.
India’s successful run chase was also bolstered by contributions from KL Rahul, who remained unbeaten on 42, and Hardik Pandya, who scored 28 runs off 24 deliveries, providing the finishing touches with powerful hitting, including back-to-back sixes off Zampa.
Australia, who batted first, posted what seemed to be a competitive total of 264 runs. Steve Smith top-scored for Australia with 73 runs, and Alex Carey played a valuable innings, scoring 61 runs. After reaching 198-4, the Australian innings collapsed, losing six wickets for just 66 runs. Mohammed Shami was the standout bowler for India, completing his spell with impressive figures of 3-48.
The turning point for India came when Smith and Carey were dismissed within six balls of each other, shifting the momentum firmly to India's side. Maxwell’s dismissal was particularly detrimental; he managed only 7 runs but could have provided much-needed acceleration for the Australians.
Commenting on the match, Kohli said, "Partnerships on this pitch are the most important thing, so it's about stringing those together and rotating strike. I was pleased with my timing and composure at the crease. I wasn't getting desperate in chasing the total down." His confidence is evident, especially considering this was another significant chase for Kohli on the big stage.
Rohit Sharma lauded his team’s effort, remarking, "At the halfway stage, we felt like it was a reasonable score to chase. We were clinical with the bat, very calm and composed in the chase. Credit goes to everyone in the team. When you go to the final, you want your players to be in form, and these games give us confidence."
Australia’s captain, Steve Smith, expressed disappointment over the match's outcome, stating, "Our bowlers did a really good job, but we needed more runs on the board. If we had gotten 280-plus, things could have been different." He highlighted how the loss of wickets at decisive points undermined their total.
This match exemplifies the tenacity and quality of India as they look to reclaim the Champions Trophy after their last win back in 2013. The prowess of their spinners, especially on pitches conducive for spin, played a key role throughout the tournament. The final promises another thrilling encounter as they aim to build upon the momentum gained from this win.
With India’s impressive run leading to the final and their growing confidence, the team appears poised to stake their claim for the championship. Fans and analysts alike will eagerly await the outcome of the second semi-final to discover who will challenge India for the trophy on March 9.