Sports

India Beats Australia To Reach Third Consecutive Champions Trophy Final

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.

Ajaypal Choudhary

Recent Posts

Yemen’s Houthis Claim Responsibility For Missile Attack On Israel

Yemen's Houthis claimed responsibility for a missile attack on Israel's Negev region, targeting the Negev…

4 hours ago

From ‘Razia Sultan’ To ‘Sarfarosh’: The Timeless Journey Of Nida Fazli, ‘Main Nida’

A special screening of the film 'Main Nida', based on the life of the renowned…

5 hours ago

Flood Alert In PoK’s Muzaffarabad After Alleged Jhelum Water Release

A flood alert was issued across Muzaffarabad on Saturday after locals reported a sudden rise…

6 hours ago

Zelensky, Trump Hold Talks In Rome Ahead Of Pope’s Funeral; Discusses Ceasefire & Peace

US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met in Rome on Saturday ahead…

7 hours ago

Pahalgam Terror Attack: Ishan Educational Institutions Organises Protest Against Terrorism

Ishan Educational Institutions, Greater Noida, today organised a peaceful protest march condemning the recent terror…

8 hours ago

Complete Ban On Drone Flights Over Noida International Airport ‘Red Zone’

Authorities have imposed a complete ban on the operation of drones and UAVs over and…

8 hours ago