<p>India and Australia&#8217;s highly anticipated clash in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 semi-final did not disappoint us. India beat Australia by 4 wickets in a thrilling encounter at the Dubai International Stadium. Team India has successfully assured their place in the final. Both teams showed their brilliance throughout the game, but Mohammed Shami&#8217;s exceptional bowling and Virat Kohli&#8217;s stunning 84-run innings took India over the line. Let us discuss the striking aspects of this intense match.</p>
<h2><strong>The Toss and Australia&#8217;s Batting Decision</strong></h2>
<p>With a strong batting lineup, Australia decided to bat 1<sup>st</sup> after winning the toss. Their decision seemed wise. But Mohammed Shami and the Indian bowlers had other plans.</p>
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<h2><strong>The Innings of Australia: A tough264</strong></h2>
<p>Cooper Connolly was dismissed on a 9-ball duck by Mohammed Shami in the early stages of the batting innings of Australia, and the innings struggled to get started. India then gained the initial momentum Travis Head had given back the answer in his style. He made a classic 39 runs from 33 balls. But then Varun Chakaravarthy dismissed him in the ninth over.</p> <div data-ad-id="2482" style="text-align:center; margin-top:px; margin-bottom:px; margin-left:px; margin-right:px;float:none;" class="afw afw-ga afw_ad afwadid-2482 "> 
 
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<h3><strong>Resistance from the Middle Order and Carey&#8217;s Fighting Fifty</strong></h3>
<p>With a 56-run partnership, Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne attempted to steady the innings. But Australia was reduced to 144/4 when Ravindra Jadeja broke their resistance by dismissing Labuschagne in the 23rd over and Josh Inglis soon after.</p>
<p>Despite Alex Carey&#8217;s pivotal performance of 61 off 57 balls, wickets continued to fall at regular intervals. Australia&#8217;s position was further weakened after Shami removed Smith in the 37th over and Axar Patel removed Glenn Maxwell in the following over.</p>
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<h2><strong>Tail-Enders Battle to Raise the Total</strong></h2>
<p>Ben Dwarshuis made 19 off 29 before he was bowled in the 46th over, showing how little fight Australia&#8217;s lower order could put up. Shreyas Iyer’s run-out Carey in the 48th over caused a real jolt, and the tail fell apart. In 49.3 overs, Australia was bowled out for 264.</p>
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<h3><strong>Team India’s Classic Chase</strong></h3>
<p>Chasing 265 runs in a high-pressure match like the semi-finals that too against Australia was not that easy. But team India’s batsmen took the challenge seriously and won the match.</p>
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<h3><strong>Early wickets but a powerful comeback</strong></h3>
<p>Though team India started well, India lost both their openers, Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill, within the first 8 overs. Despite of being dropped twice, Rohit played 28 runs off 29 balls before he was bowled out in the eighth over. Ben Dwarshuis replaced Gill in the fifth over.</p>
<p>India was under pressure at 55/2 at the close of the powerplay. However, a crucial 91-run partnership between Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer kept the innings steady.</p>
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<h2><strong>Virat Kohli&#8217;s Under Pressure Masterclass – the chase master</strong></h2>
<p>Virat Kohli proved once again why he is called the chase master. He is one of the world&#8217;s greatest chasers. He started the innings with a steady knock and got boundaries when most needed. He hit his half-century in the 25th over and even got a lifeline when he was dropped by Glenn Maxwell.</p>
<p>Adam Zampa broke the stand by dismissing Shreyas Iyer for 45 when India seemed to be on top. Nathan Ellis dominated Axar Patel, who came and went in 27. India required 87 runs in 90 deliveries, and Kohli remained the key.</p>
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<h2><strong>A Classy Finish</strong></h2>
<p>Kohli kept switching the strike consistently even while the pressure increased. But after playing a mind-boggling 84 off 98 balls, he was bowled by Zampa in the 43rd over.</p>
<p>Then KL Rahul and Hardik Pandy took over the chase. Rahul&#8217;s unbeaten 42 off 34 balls and Pandya&#8217;s 36 off 33 balls ensuredthat India got across the victory line by 4 wickets and reached the target with 11 balls in hand.</p>
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<h3><strong>Key Moments of the Match</strong></h3>
<ul>
<li>Virat Kohli: Player of the Match with 84 off 98 balls</li>
<li>Mohammed Shami: 10 overs, 3/48</li>
<li>Steve Smith: 96 balls at 79</li>
<li>Alex Carey: 57 balls to 61</li>
<li>Nathan Ellis: 9 overs at 2/49</li>
</ul>
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<h2><strong>Kohli Sets Another Record</strong></h2>
<p>As part of leading India to victory, Kohli&#8217;s innings helped him break Sachin Tendulkar&#8217;s record for the most 50-plus scores in ICC ODI cricket. Tendulkar had 23 of these scores but is now joined by Kohli, who has 24. He again proved why he is considered one of the greatest ODI batsmen around by being able to chase under pressure.</p>
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<h3><strong>Steve Smith Announces His Retirement from ODI</strong></h3>
<p>Australian captain Steve Smith announced his retirement from ODI cricket after their defeat. Smith is a legendary player with a long list of game-winning feats, which makes him one of the greatest batsmen in modern cricket. His retirement signifies the closing of a remarkable chapter in Australian cricket history.</p>
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<h2><strong>What&#8217;s Next? India waits anxiously</strong></h2>
<p>India advanced to the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final with this win. They will face the winner of South Africa vs. New Zealand in the second semi-final. India will attempt to win another ICC trophy in Sunday&#8217;s final, which will be held in Dubai.</p>
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