India has once again made it to the Champions Trophy final, defeating Australia by four wickets to enter the title match for the third consecutive time. Team India successfully achieved the target of 265 runs with a brilliant performance in bowling and batting. Virat Kohli’s restrained innings and the important contribution of the middle order played a big role in this victory.
Australia were restricted to 264 runs with strong bowling
India’s decision to bowl first after winning the toss proved to be correct. The Indian bowlers kept the pressure on the Australian batsmen from the very beginning. The pitch was helping the spinners, taking advantage of which Varun Chakraborty dismissed Travis Head (39) on his very first ball. Mohammed Shami troubled the Australian top order with his accurate line-lengths and dismissed Cooper Connolly for a duck.
Steve Smith (73) held one end and carried the innings forward and built a partnership with Marnus Labuschagne (31), but Ravindra Jadeja gave Australia a shock by dismissing Labuschagne. Due to the tight bowling of the Indian bowlers, Australia could not hit any boundary for 50 balls at one time.
Alex Carey (61 runs, 48 balls) strengthened the team by batting fast and shared a 54-run partnership with Smith. But Shami once again gave a breakthrough at a crucial time and got Smith out. Axar Patel increased Australia’s problems by taking the wicket of Glenn Maxwell. Carey was run out by a brilliant direct throw from Shreyas Iyer, due to which Australia could not score runs quickly in the final overs and the entire team was all out for 264 runs in 49.3 overs. Shami was the most successful bowler with excellent figures of 3/48.
Kohli’s composed innings led India to victory
The Indian team did not have a good start while chasing the target. Shubman Gill was out in the fifth over after hitting the ball on the stumps. Captain Rohit Sharma played a quick innings of 28 runs (29 balls) but was LBW while trying to sweep Connolly’s ball. At 43/2 in eight overs, Australia were trying to make a comeback in the match.
However, Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer steadied the innings with a crucial 91-run partnership. Both batsmen batted sensibly against the Australian spinners, scoring runs steadily while avoiding taking risks. Kohli completed his 74th ODI half-century, although on one occasion Glenn Maxwell dropped a difficult catch. Iyer (45) looked in good touch but was dismissed by Adam Zampa.
Rahul-Pandya gave victory in the last overs
India needed 65 runs in the last 10 overs with six wickets in hand. Axar Patel hit a magnificent six off Tanveer Sangha and added 44 runs with Kohli. However, Australia kept the match exciting and first got Axar out and then Kohli out, who played a high shot off Zampa’s ball.
After this, KL Rahul (42*) took India’s innings forward with his calm batting. Hardik Pandya ended the match by hitting three towering sixes off Australia’s spinners in the final overs. India won the match with 11 balls to spare.
With this spectacular victory, India has now made it to the final, where it will face either New Zealand or South Africa. Team India’s excellent performance, balanced combination and strength of the middle order have made them one of the strong contenders for the title. Will India be able to win the Champions Trophy title once again? The final match is going to be full of excitement!
