In the first semi-final of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy held today at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Australia set a target of 265 runs for India. Key contributions came from Steve Smith, who scored 73 runs, and Alex Carey, who added 60 runs. India’s bowlers, led by Mohammed Shami and Varun Chakravarthy, delivered disciplined performances to restrict Australia to 264 runs.

During India’s chase, Virat Kohli anchored the innings with a steady 81 runs. At a critical juncture, India required 57 runs from 54 balls with six wickets in hand, with Kohli and KL Rahul at the crease. Despite Australia’s efforts to apply pressure, India maintained control over the required run rate. An important moment occurred when Axar Patel was bowled by Nathan Ellis, but India’s batting depth kept them in a strong position.

This semi-final matchup was highly anticipated, especially considering Australia’s victory over India in the 2023 World Test Championship and the 50-over World Cup. Both teams brought key players to the fore, with India’s spin attack and Australia’s batting lineup under the spotlight.

Scorecard:

TeamScoreOvers
Australia26449.3
India265/647.0

This victory propels India into the final of the Champions Trophy, where they will await the winner of the second semi-final between South Africa and New Zealand.

The match’s outcome will determine who advances to the final, with the cricketing world keenly watching this intense rivalry unfold.

In the ongoing semi-final of the Champions Trophy 2025 in Dubai, Australia chose to bat first against India. However, their innings got off to a rocky start. Mohammed Shami quickly dismissed opener Cooper Connolly. India’s bowlers kept the pressure on, with Varun Chakravarthy removing the dangerous Travis Head for 39. Head had a reprieve early in the innings but couldn’t capitalize. His departure left Australia at 62/2.

The partnership between Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne steadied the innings, with both players taking their time to build a score. As of the 27nd over, Australia is 144/4. Chakravarthy, Shami have each claimed one wicket and Ravindra Jadeja have two wickets so far.

India

India has been in excellent form throughout the tournament, defeating every opponent. Players like Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill, and Shreyas Iyer have been in top form. Varun Chakravarthy’s impressive performance in the last match, where he took 5 wickets against New Zealand, showcased his potential. However, India’s captain, Rohit Sharma, has yet to convert his starts into a big score.

Australia, on the other hand, is missing several key players from their World Cup-winning team. Star players like Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Mitch Marsh are unavailable due to injuries or other reasons. Despite this, Travis Head remains a major threat for India, though he has not yet played in Dubai during this tournament.

The Dubai pitch, known for being slow and sluggish, is proving to be a challenge for both teams. The game continues to be an exciting contest with both teams looking to seize control.

India’s bowlers are dominating as they keep Australia under pressure, with Shami, Chakravarthy, and Jadeja picking up key wickets. Despite missing several key players, Australia is fighting back through Smith and Labuschagne. Stay tuned for the latest sports news on Gremin News for updates on this intense cricket battle