India storm into Champions Trophy Final with thrilling win over Australia in Dubai
Kohli and Rahul anchor record chase in high-stakes encounter
Dubai witnessed a historic night as India stormed into the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final with a thrilling four-wicket win over Australia.
Virat Kohli’s masterful 84 and KL Rahul’s finishing touch helped India chase down 265 – their highest successful chase against Australia in an ICC event.
The victory also extended India’s unbeaten run in Dubai to nine matches, making it one of their strongest fortresses in world cricket.
Australia’s innings
Opting to bat first after winning the toss, Australia got off to a mixed start. Travis Head took an aggressive approach, smashing 39 off 33 balls, but his stay was cut short when Varun Chakravarthy forced him into a mistimed shot, caught at deep square leg.
Cooper Connolly, opening in place of Matt Short, struggled against the Indian pace attack. He faced nine deliveries before edging one to KL Rahul off Mohammed Shami, leaving Australia at 43/2.
Marnus Labuschagne (29 off 36) and Josh Inglis (11) fell cheaply, but captain Steve Smith played a composed knock, holding the innings together with a patient 73. Partnering with Alex Carey, he stitched a crucial 50-run stand before Shami dismissed him with a sharp inswinger.
With Maxwell gone for seven and wickets tumbling, Carey attempted to accelerate but was run out for 61 in the 48th over. Australia’s lower order could not contribute much, and they were bowled out for 264 in 49.3 overs.
Shami led the bowling attack with figures of 3/48, while Axar Patel (2/41) and Kuldeep Yadav controlled the middle overs effectively.
India’s record chase
Chasing 265, India got off to a shaky start. Shubman Gill, struggling against the swing of Ben Dwarshuis, chopped a delivery onto his stumps for a nine-ball duck. Captain Rohit Sharma, who had a couple of early reprieves, started aggressively but fell lbw to Connolly for 28 off 29 balls.
At 43/2, India needed a strong partnership, and Kohli stepped up alongside Shreyas Iyer. The duo countered Australia’s bowling with a well-constructed 91-run stand. Kohli played his signature anchor role, while Shreyas mixed solid defence with fluent strokeplay. Their partnership was broken when Adam Zampa bowled Shreyas for 45 off 62 deliveries.
Axar Patel’s quick 27 off 30 balls injected momentum, but his dismissal put pressure back on India. Meanwhile, Kohli looked set for his 52nd ODI century, playing risk-free cricket as KL Rahul joined him at the crease.
With India needing 40 off 44 balls, Australia sensed an opening. Kohli, trying to accelerate, mistimed a shot against Zampa and was caught for a match-winning 84 off 98 balls. His dismissal left India in a tense situation, but Hardik Pandya turned the game on its head.
Pandya smashed two massive sixes off Zampa, taking India to the brink of victory before falling for 28 off 24 balls. With six runs needed off the 49th over, Glenn Maxwell was handed the ball. KL Rahul wasted no time, launching Maxwell’s first delivery over long-on for a towering six, securing India’s spot in the final.
Rahul remained unbeaten on 42 off 34 balls, providing the finishing touches to one of India’s most memorable chases in ICC tournament history.
India in Champions Trophy 2025 Final
This victory marks India’s fifth Champions Trophy final appearance— the most by any team, surpassing West Indies (3 finals). The successful chase of 265 is also the highest target ever achieved against Australia in an ICC ODI knockout match.
India will now await the winner of the second semi-final between South Africa and New Zealand, set to take place in Lahore tomorrow. Both teams have been in stellar form throughout the tournament, making for an exciting contest to determine who will challenge India for the trophy.