Dubai is set to host the Champions Trophy final, with India securing their spot after outclassing a depleted Australian side in a gripping first semi-final. However, their victory didn’t come without resistance, as Australia had several moments that could have shifted the game in intriguing ways.
Ultimately, India’s skill and experience proved decisive, with a key contribution from the player who best exemplifies those qualities. Virat Kohli, known for his masterful chase management, had already produced a century earlier in the tournament against Pakistan and seemed poised for another. However, an uncharacteristic attempt at a big shot ended his innings at 84. By then, he had surpassed 8000 runs in ODI chases and left India needing just 40 off 44 balls.
They required only 33 deliveries to get the job done, as KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya took India to the brink before Pandya fell with just one hit remaining. In a moment reminiscent of India’s chase against Australia in the 2023 Chennai World Cup clash, it was Rahul who finished things off—this time with a towering six over long-on off Glenn Maxwell.
Rahul and Hardik combined for five sixes and three fours, yet even their late surge couldn’t push India’s boundary tally (16 fours and seven sixes) beyond Australia’s (20 and eight). Instead, India’s victory was driven by their relentless running and strike rotation—they faced only 124 dot balls compared to Australia’s 153 and ran 158 of their runs between the wickets, significantly more than Australia’s 129.
This wasn’t just a result of Kohli and his teammates—five other Indian batters crossed 25—expertly finding gaps and running hard; it also highlighted the gap in bowling quality, particularly in the spin department. India’s spinners maintained a dot-ball percentage of exactly 50%, while Australia’s managed just over 39%.
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Spin Control Trumps Aggression as India Restricts Australia
Sticking to their four-spinner strategy on a bone-dry pitch expected to offer significant turn, India instead found themselves dealing with a surface that was more slow and low than sharply spinning. While their spinners didn’t run through the Australian lineup, they maintained far greater control than their opponents, consistently targeting the stumps and limiting scoring opportunities.
Despite this, Australia frequently looked set to push towards a 300-run total after opting to bat first. Three of their batters produced innings that, on another day, could have been match-winning. However, just as each appeared to be at their most threatening, they fell—each contributing to their own downfall at a crucial moment.
Missed Chances and Costly Errors Halt Australia’s Momentum
Travis Head, given an early reprieve when Mohammed Shami dropped a return catch in the opening over, struggled initially to adjust to the sluggish pitch. However, once he found his rhythm, he accelerated rapidly, racing from 1 off 11 balls to 39 off 32, evoking memories of his Ahmedabad heroics in 2023. Just as he looked set for a big innings, he fell to Varun Chakravarthy’s very first delivery against him in any format, miscuing a wrong’un to long-off while attempting a big shot down the ground.
Steven Smith then took charge, showcasing his finesse with the bat by expertly maneuvering the spinners—whipping them over midwicket, driving through the covers, and even launching a few straight hits. His well-crafted 73 included crucial partnerships with Head, Marnus Labuschagne, and Alex Carey. Smith too had his share of fortune—Shami spilled another return catch off him, this time with his left hand, and Axar Patel induced an inside edge that struck the stumps but failed to dislodge the bails.
With Australia at 198 for 4 in the 37th over, Smith attempted to take on Shami once again, stepping out to drive him through the covers. However, he lost his balance and mistimed a full-toss, which crashed into the base of the off stump, ending his promising knock at a pivotal moment.
India Seize Control as Key Wickets Derail Australia
Just five balls after Steven Smith’s departure, Australia suffered another major setback. Glenn Maxwell, fresh off a slog-swept six against Axar Patel, misjudged a skidding delivery aimed at the stumps and missed his pull shot, shifting the momentum firmly in India’s favor within minutes.
However, Alex Carey remained at the crease and was, arguably, playing the standout innings of the match. Walking in at a precarious 144 for 4—right after Ravindra Jadeja had removed Marnus Labuschagne and Josh Inglis in quick succession—Carey counterattacked with purpose. He smartly targeted open spaces in the outfield, ensuring his attacking strokes were fully committed. His intent was clear from the sixth ball he faced, when he backed away to expose all three stumps and lofted Jadeja over mid-off. Though he didn’t middle it, he relied on the vacant boundary to earn his first four, setting the tone for his innings.
Using sweeps, reverse-sweeps, and lofted drives, Carey accelerated to 60 off 56 balls. But just when Australia needed him to anchor the innings, disaster struck in the 47th over. Attempting a risky second run, he was caught short by a stunning direct hit from Shreyas Iyer at backward square leg.
These crucial breakthroughs culminated in Australia being bowled out for 264, with three balls left unused—a total that ultimately fell short against India’s composed chase.
India Steady After Early Setbacks in Chase
India’s target allowed them to structure their chase patiently without the need for reckless boundary-hunting, though the initial moments suggested an aggressive intent.
Shubman Gill started brightly, skipping down the track to dispatch Ben Dwarshuis with a stylish short-arm jab. However, his stay was brief—later in the same over, he attempted to guide the ball fine but ended up inside-edging it onto his stumps, a shot perhaps ill-suited to the slow conditions.
Rohit Sharma, as is his trademark in powerplays, took on the bowlers with characteristic flair. His innings mirrored Travis Head’s in many ways—he produced breathtaking strokes, including a powerful pulled six off Nathan Ellis, and benefited from two dropped catches, though neither was routine. However, his aggressive approach eventually cost him, as he attempted a sweep against Cooper Connolly but misjudged a straight and full delivery, losing his wicket in the process.
At 43 for 2 in the eighth over, India had suffered early blows, while Connolly, after a tough outing, finally found some relief. Earlier in the day, he had endured a forgettable start, struggling as an opener in place of the injured Matthew Short and managing just a nine-ball duck, including six consecutive misses against Mohammed Shami.
Kohli Anchors Chase Before an Uncharacteristic Dismissal
Virat Kohli looked in control throughout his innings, making run-scoring seem effortless with his classic percentage play. However, there was a brief moment of tension when he offered a leading edge to Glenn Maxwell at short cover off Cooper Connolly’s bowling. Maxwell’s diving effort couldn’t stick, allowing Kohli to continue at a crucial juncture when he was on 51 and India at 134 for 2.
Despite this missed opportunity for Australia, Kohli dictated the pace of the chase, surprisingly outscoring Shreyas Iyer despite playing orthodox cricket. Iyer, in contrast, was constantly shuffling around the crease and attempting innovative shots like scoops. Kohli’s five boundaries—highlighted by a couple of precise pulls off the spinners and a sharp stroke against Nathan Ellis—kept India ticking along comfortably, aided by Australia’s defensive field placements.
With Smith needing to protect the boundaries, the singles flowed freely due to Australia’s limited spin attack. While Adam Zampa was the only established spinner, he had inexperienced support in Tanveer Sangha and part-time options in Connolly, Maxwell, and Travis Head.
The chase hit a slight roadblock when Iyer was bowled while making room for a cut against Zampa’s quicker delivery, leaving India with 131 runs to get from 142 balls. However, with the batting depth still intact, Kohli smoothly rotated strike alongside Axar Patel and later KL Rahul in steady partnerships of 44 and 47.
Just as the chase appeared to be progressing without drama, Kohli fell in an uncharacteristic manner. After Rahul struck Zampa for a six earlier in the over, India had full control of the required rate. Yet, in a rare moment of aggression at the wrong time, Kohli attempted a six himself. Misreading a wrong’un that didn’t turn as much as he expected, he ended up hitting it straight to the fielder at long-on. It was a surprising departure from his usual calculated approach, a rare instance where even the finest chasers succumb to instinct.
FAQs
Why did India stick with a four-spinner strategy against Australia?
India expected a turning track but found a slow, low surface instead. Their spinners couldn’t dominate but maintained tight control, unlike Australia’s attack.
How did Australia lose momentum despite a promising start?
Key batters like Travis Head, Steven Smith, and Alex Carey got starts but fell at crucial moments, often due to self-inflicted errors, preventing a 300+ total.
What was the turning point in India’s chase?
Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer’s steady partnership put India in command, but Kohli’s rare miscalculated six attempt off Adam Zampa created unexpected drama.
How did Glenn Maxwell and Cooper Connolly impact the match?
Maxwell took a crucial wicket but dropped Kohli at 51, missing a golden chance. Connolly dismissed Rohit Sharma but struggled earlier with the bat and ball.
What was the key reason behind India’s successful chase?
India’s batters paced their innings well, utilizing singles against Australia’s limited spin attack while maintaining control of the required run rate.
