India booked their spot in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final with a thrilling four-wicket win over Australia in the first semifinal at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday. Chasing a target of 265, Virat Kohli‘s classy 84-run knock and crucial contributions from KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya powered India home with 11 balls to spare.
Australia’s gritty batting effort
After electing to bat first, Australia posted 264 in 49.3 overs, riding on a determined 73 from Steve Smith and a quickfire 61 by Alex Carey. Travis Head (39 off 33) and Marnus Labuschagne (29 off 36) chipped in, but India’s disciplined bowling attack prevented the Aussies from accelerating.
Mohammed Shami (3/48) led the attack brilliantly, while Ravindra Jadeja (2/40) and Varun Chakravarthy (2/49) provided crucial breakthroughs. Despite losing wickets at regular intervals, Australia managed to push past 260, setting a competitive total.
India’s chase: Virat Kohli’s brilliance seals the win
India got off to a steady but cautious start as Rohit Sharma (28) and Shubman Gill (8) looked to settle in. However, quick strikes from Ben Dwarshuis and Cooper Connolly put Australia on top early.
With India at 82/2, Kohli took control of the chase, crafting a well-paced 84 off 98 balls. His partnership with Shreyas Iyer (45 off 62) stabilized the innings before Rahul (42 off 34) and Pandya (28 off 24) provided the finishing touch. Despite some late jitters, India reached 267/6 in 48.1 overs, securing a place in the final.
Kohli’s match-winning 84-run knock anchored India’s chase and earned him the Player of the Match award. His composure under pressure once again proved decisive in a knockout clash. With this four-wicket victory, India marches into the final, awaiting the winner of the second semifinal.
Also WATCH: Cooper Connolly’s pumped-up celebration after removing Rohit Sharma in Champions Trophy 2025 semifinal
Here is how fans reacted:
India does it again! A masterclass in chasing led by @imVkohli composure, @ShreyasIyer15 elegance, @klrahul stability, and @hardikpandya7 explosive finish. Pure domination, relentless intent, and a champion mentality on display! This team knows how to handle pressure and deliver…
— Siddharthh Kaul (@iamsidkaul) March 4, 2025
India edge out Australia in a nervy chase to punch their ticket to the #ChampionsTrophy Final 🎫#INDvAUS 📝: https://t.co/hFrI2t8AC9 pic.twitter.com/ftpmHXJ2m4
— ICC (@ICC) March 4, 2025
India has emerged victorious 🤩 With a stunning victory over Australia, Bharat secures a spot in the #ChampionsTrophy2025 finals. Congratulations Indiaaaaaaa 🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🔥🔥🔥👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 #INDvAUS
— Wazhma Ayoubi 🇦🇫 (@WazhmaAyoubi) March 4, 2025
𝙄𝙉𝙏𝙊 𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝙁𝙄𝙉𝘼𝙇𝙎 🥳
Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/HYAJl7biEo#TeamIndia | #INDvAUS | #ChampionsTrophy pic.twitter.com/k67s4fLKf3
— BCCI (@BCCI) March 4, 2025
Sunday, 9th March. 🏆⏳🤩#BharatArmy #COTI🇮🇳 #TeamIndia #ChampionsTrophy2025 #INDVAUS pic.twitter.com/Ky12gRZ2w1
— The Bharat Army (@thebharatarmy) March 4, 2025
🎫 𝐓𝐈𝐂𝐊𝐄𝐓 𝐓𝐎 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐅𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐋𝐄 ✅🏆#INDvAUS #ChampionsTrophy #MumbaiIndians pic.twitter.com/WUcHm8vw0p
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) March 4, 2025
India in their third successive #ChampionsTrophyfinal – 2013, 2017 and now #ChampionsTrophy2025 to become the first nation to do so!#ChampionsTrophy#CricketTwitter #cricket
— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) March 4, 2025
What else we here for? 🇮🇳🔥 pic.twitter.com/hVWZfJvTlq
— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) March 4, 2025
Better talent, better skills. This time the better team on field, and on paper, won. 🇮🇳 #IndvsAus https://t.co/6K8viclH0j
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) March 4, 2025
Whole is always greater than its individual parts .
Top team effort again lead by the brilliance of Virat . #IndvsAusSemifinal #ChampionsTrophy2025— Deep Dasgupta (@DeepDasgupta7) March 4, 2025
The problem for the rest of the world in White ball cricket is that India have another team that could play and they are equally as good … the Aussies to push them so close was a great effort with so many missing … It’s India’s trophy for me … #ChampionsTrophy2025
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) March 4, 2025
अहमदाबाद शांत था लेकिन दुबई चहक रहा है, ऑस्ट्रेलिया के ऊपर जीत से सारा देश महक रहा है❤️🕉️🙏 https://t.co/tHtrBARyLM
— Suresh Raina🇮🇳 (@ImRaina) March 4, 2025
Hat-tricks of Champions Trophy finals for India (2013, 2017 and now 2025)
— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang) March 4, 2025
