India qualified for the ICC Champions Trophy final for the third consecutive time with a dominating show against Australia. Virat Kohli was instrumental in the chase, crossing 8000 ODI runs in chases while getting steady backup from his team.
Kohli Anchors India's Chase
India's chase was hit with an early loss when Shubman Gill chopped onto his stumps in the fifth over. Rohit Sharma, though dropped twice, played aggressively during the powerplay scoring 28 off 29 balls before getting bowled LBW by left-arm spinner Cooper Connolly. Australia sensed a chance at 43/2 in eight overs, but Kohli and Shreyas Iyer steadied the innings. They outsmarted the spinners, forging a key 91-run stand that laid the platform for the pursuit.
Kohli reached his 74th ODI fifty but was given a lifeline when Glenn Maxwell dropped a difficult catch. Iyer, appearing solid, was bowled out for 45 by a slider from Zampa. Axar Patel joined Kohli, hitting a six off Tanveer Sangha in the early part of his stay at the crease. Their 44-run partnership off 50 balls made the required run rate manageable.
Australia kept battling back, and Axar was bowled by Nathan Ellis. KL Rahul continued the momentum of the chase, hitting boundaries to relieve pressure. Kohli, surprisingly, tried a lofted shot off Zampa and got caught at long-on. India needed a run-a-ball now, and the game was left open. But Hardik Pandya took control, hitting three sixes against the spinners, and India reached the target with 11 balls remaining.
India’s Bowlers Restrict Australia
India's bowlers earlier had kept Australia to 264. Having chosen an unchanged eleven, India played four frontline spinners. The bowling attack paid dividends, and Varun Chakravarthy sent Travis Head back with his opening ball. Head, though staid in his approach early, made 39 before being sent back. Mohammed Shami had troubled the Australian openers and finally got rid of Cooper Connolly for a 9-ball duck.
Steven Smith appeared sturdy, weathering close moments and steer Australia's innings. He put on a valuable 56-run partnership with Marnus Labuschagne before the latter got LBW to Ravindra Jadeja. Smith completed his fifty in 66 balls but received minimal assistance. Josh Inglis walked back for 11, and although Sam dropped in with some energy with a run-a-ball 54-run partnership with Smith, the innings needed a solid finish.
Shami sent Smith packing for 73, and Axar dismissed Glenn Maxwell shortly afterwards. Carey's free-scoring fifty made Australia keep up the fight, but his run-out by Shreyas Iyer checked the momentum. Australia was bowled out for 264 in the last over.
Match Summary
Australia: 264 all out in 49.3 overs (Steven Smith 73, Alex Carey 61; Mohammed Shami 3-48)
India: 267/6 in 48.1 overs (Virat Kohli 84, Shreyas Iyer 45, KL Rahul 42*)
India won by 4 wickets
