India Storms Into ICC Champions Trophy Final With Dominant Win Over Australia
India secured a spot in the final of the ICC Champions Trophy for the third consecutive time with a commanding performance against Australia. Their victory was built on a strong all-round display, excelling in both batting and bowling. Virat Kohli played a pivotal role in the run chase, surpassing 8000 runs while chasing in ODIs. With crucial partnerships and steady gameplay, India successfully navigated through tense moments to seal the win.
Table of Contents
India’s Chase Led by Virat Kohli
Chasing 265 for victory, India faced an early setback when opener Shubman Gill chopped the ball onto his stumps in the fifth over. Kohli entered the crease early, tasked with stabilizing the innings. At the other end, Rohit Sharma played his usual aggressive role, making the most of the powerplay despite being dropped twice. He contributed a quick 28 off 29 balls but was trapped LBW while attempting a sweep against left-arm spinner Cooper Connolly. At 43/2 inside eight overs, the chase was delicately poised, with Australia sensing an opportunity to apply pressure.
However, Kohli, alongside Shreyas Iyer, steadied the innings. Their 91-run partnership proved to be a game-changer, as they navigated Australia’s spin attack with patience and precision. They focused on rotating the strike, avoiding unnecessary risks, and gradually bringing the target within reach. Kohli reached his 74th ODI fifty, displaying his signature composure, though he survived a scare when Glenn Maxwell dropped a tough diving chance at short extra cover.
Key Middle-Order Contributions
Iyer looked solid but was undone by a well-disguised slider from Adam Zampa, bowled for 45. Kohli, however, found another reliable partner in Axar Patel, who made an immediate impact by launching a slog-swept six off Tanveer Sangha. The duo added 44 runs off 50 balls, ensuring the required run rate remained manageable. Patel’s presence provided India with some much-needed momentum as the innings progressed.
Australia, despite being on the back foot, managed to keep the contest alive with timely breakthroughs. Axar was bowled by Nathan Ellis off a short delivery that skidded onto his off stump. KL Rahul then took over the role of stabilizer, adopting a calculated approach while Kohli continued to hold the innings together.
Nervous Moments in the Final Overs
Heading into the final ten overs, India required 65 runs with six wickets in hand. Rahul shifted gears at the right moment, lofting a couple of boundaries to relieve some pressure. He executed another well-timed loft off Zampa, tilting the momentum further in India’s favor. However, Kohli made an uncharacteristic mistake, attempting a lofted shot off Zampa and getting caught at long-on. With the game still in the balance and the equation down to a run-a-ball, Australia saw a glimmer of hope.
That hope was quickly extinguished by Hardik Pandya’s aggressive strokeplay. The all-rounder smashed three sixes against the leg-spinners, propelling India towards the target with ease. His quickfire 28 off 24 balls ensured there were no late hiccups, and India wrapped up the chase with 11 balls to spare.
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India’s Clinical Bowling Performance
India’s victory was built on a disciplined bowling display that restricted Australia to a par score of 264 after being asked to field first. India stuck with their four-spinner strategy, banking on their slow-bowling strength. The fresh pitch offered some assistance, but Australia looked determined to counterattack early on.
Varun Chakravarthy struck with his first ball, dismissing Travis Head, who miscued a lofted shot to long-off. Head’s innings was a mixed bag; he struggled initially, scoring just one run off his first 11 balls but then found some rhythm. However, his promising knock of 39 off 33 balls was cut short before he could inflict major damage.
Mohammed Shami’s round-the-wicket approach troubled the Australian openers. He repeatedly beat Cooper Connolly’s outside edge before eventually dismissing him for a scratchy 9-ball duck. Shami had earlier missed a return catch off Head’s leading edge, but he more than made up for it with his relentless line and length.
Smith Anchors Australia’s Innings
Australia found stability through Steven Smith, who looked assured at the crease from the moment he arrived. The experienced batter marked his intent early, lofting Axar Patel for a boundary in his first over. He survived a couple of close calls—once when an inside edge hit the stumps without dislodging the bails and later when Shami dropped a tough return catch. Nonetheless, he played a responsible innings, bringing up his 50 off 66 balls.
Marnus Labuschagne partnered Smith for a steady 56-run stand, but his innings was curtailed when Ravindra Jadeja trapped him LBW. Meanwhile, Smith continued to anchor Australia’s innings, despite wickets falling at the other end. Josh Inglis was dismissed cheaply, chipping a simple catch to cover.
Alex Carey Provides Late Surge
The arrival of Alex Carey gave Australia some much-needed momentum. His 54-run partnership with Smith came at nearly a run-a-ball, shifting some pressure back on the Indian spinners. Carey played aggressively, looking to accelerate Australia’s scoring rate in the middle overs.
However, India struck crucial blows to halt their charge. Smith, on 73, jumped down the track to Shami but missed a full toss, resulting in his dismissal. Glenn Maxwell followed immediately after hitting a boundary, as Axar Patel bowled him with a sharp delivery.
Carey carried on the attack and brought up his fifty in just 48 balls. He expertly maneuvered the spinners, taking calculated risks to ensure Australia reached a competitive total. However, his attempt to sneak in a second run proved costly, as Shreyas Iyer’s direct hit sent him back to the pavilion. His dismissal in the 47th over left Australia struggling to push for a late flourish, and they were eventually bowled out for 264 in the final over.
Final Summary and Brief Scores
India’s disciplined bowling effort and well-constructed chase ensured they advanced to yet another ICC Champions Trophy final. Kohli’s measured innings, well-supported by Iyer, Patel, and Pandya, proved decisive in the successful run chase.
Brief Scores:
- Australia: 264 all out in 49.3 overs (Steven Smith 73, Alex Carey 61; Mohammed Shami 3-48)
- India: 267/6 in 48.1 overs (Virat Kohli 84, Shreyas Iyer 45, KL Rahul 42*)
- India won by 4 wickets.
With this victory, India will now look ahead to the final, where they aim to lift the ICC Champions Trophy once again. Their all-round performance against Australia has showcased their ability to handle pressure situations, making them strong contenders for the title.