NEW DELHI: Cricket is often described as a game of fine margins, and Australian captain Steve Smith experienced this firsthand during the ICC Champions Trophy semifinal against India at the Dubai International Stadium on March 4, 2025. A remarkable moment unfolded when, on the final delivery of India’s 14th over, Smith was almost bowled out by Indian spinner Axar Patel. The ball clipped the inside edge of Smith’s bat, ricocheted off his pad, and rolled gently onto the stumps. To everyone0s astonishment, the bails remained firmly intact.
Fans and players held their breath as the ball made contact with the stumps. Smith, initially frozen with disbelief, quickly exhaled relief as he realized he had survived what could have been a pivotal moment for Australia. Even Axar Patel, who delivered the ball, appeared stunned by this rare occurrence. Commentators remarked on the unlikeliness of such events, as visual footage of the moment quickly went viral across social media platforms.
The incident occurred within the high-stakes semifinal match, which was marked by both teams0 determination and tension. India, still smarting from their loss to Australia during the 2023 World Cup final, stepped onto the field wearing black armbands as a tribute to the late Padmakar Shivalkar, Mumbai’s legendary spinner who passed away just the previous day at the age of 84.
Despite the near miss, the match saw Smith capitalize on his stroke of luck. After being reprieved, he went on to score his 35th one-day international fifty, providing Australia with some much-needed stability at the crease. Smith's innings became integral as he built upon the luck he had received. He formed a valuable 56-run partnership with Marnus Labuschagne for the third wicket, reinforcing Australia’s batting line-up.
The drama on the field continued as Ravindra Jadeja, following his captain Rohit Sharma's tactical moves, began to unravel Australia’s middle order. Jadeja claimed the prized wicket of Labuschagne, who fell for 29 runs off 36 balls with his stumping, leaving Australia at 110 for 3 at one point during their innings. Adding to India’s success, Jadeja later took the wicket of Josh Inglis for just 11 runs.
The match had initially kicked off with Mohammed Shami stepping up to dismiss Cooper Connolly for a duck early on, as the Indian bowlers aimed to put Australia under pressure from the outset. Despite losing early wickets, Australia’s batsmen, including Travis Head, appeared aggressive at the crease, with Head hitting five fours and two sixes to notch up 39 runs before being dismissed by Varun Chakravarthy.
The gravity of the semifinal was palpable, and the stakes could not have been higher for both teams. With players on both sides performing their best, fans watching from the stands and around the world could sense the energy. Each delivery carried the weight of their national pride, and every moment contributed to the narrative of the match.
Notably, this edition of the ICC Champions Trophy has drawn attention far and wide. Cricket enthusiasts have noted how matches like this can showcase not just individual brilliance but also moments steeped in drama and unexpected fortune. Smith's close call with the stump ignited conversations about the unpredictable nature of cricket—showing how even the smallest play can have monumental consequences.
"This moment really highlights how anything can happen on the cricket field. It was his lucky day, and every player needs moments like this,"1 remarked one of the seasoned cricket analysts during the post-match review.
The upcoming schedule for the tournament shows South Africa facing New Zealand, leaving fans eager to see which teams will make it to the finals. With Australia surviving dramatic moments like the close call with Smith, analysts and fans alike are questioning how they will fare against the formidable competition.
On March 9, 2025, the final showdown promises to be electrifying, with both teams aiming for ultimate glory. The extraordinary resilience of players, the passion exhibited by the fans, and the backdrop of the ICC Champions Trophy create the perfect storm for cricket history. Players will leave all they've got on the field, each aspiring to wear their country’s colors to victory and etch their names forever as champions.
Australia’s luck with Smith may have sparked exhilaration for their supporters, but every player knows they must continue pushing past the moments when fortune smiles to secure the championship they'll fight for.