India secured a spot in their third successive ICC Champions Trophy final with a commanding four-wicket win over Australia at the Dubai International Cricket Ground. Chasing 265, India matched their highest successful run-chase in Champions Trophy history, achieved in the 2017 semi-final against Bangladesh.
Kohli’s 84 Leads India To Victory
Opting to bat, Australia posted 264 in 49.3 overs, powered by Steve Smith (73) and Alex Carey (61). Mohammed Shami led India’s bowling attack with three wickets, despite an early dropped catch off Travis Head.
In response, India lost Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill early, but Virat Kohli (84 off 98 balls) anchored the chase. During his knock, Kohli became the second batter to score 8,000 ODI runs in chases, after Sachin Tendulkar, and surpassed Shikhar Dhawan as India’s highest run-scorer in Champions Trophy history.
Kohli departed in the 43rd over, but KL Rahul (42) sealed the win with a six off Glenn Maxwell in the penultimate over, finishing the chase in 48.1 overs.
India’s Record Fifth Champions Trophy Final
This victory broke India’s 3-3 ICC knockout record against Australia, dating back to the 1998 quarter-final win. India had lost three ICC knockouts to Australia since their 2011 ODI World Cup quarter-final win.
India will face the winner of the South Africa vs New Zealand semi-final in Lahore. The Men in Blue will play their record fifth Champions Trophy final, having won in 2002 (joint winners with Sri Lanka) and 2013 but lost in 2000 and 2017.
On a seven-match ODI winning streak in 2025, India will have a four-day break before Sunday’s final in Dubai.
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