Kohli Powers India into Champions Trophy Final as Aussies Exit Amid Controversy Over Favouritism

Virat Kohli shone with a solid 84 runs off 98 deliveries, guiding India to a four-wicket victory over Australia and securing a spot in the Champions Trophy final.

Kohli’s impressive 74th ODI half-century contributed to India’s successful chase of 267, responding to Australia’s total of 264 all out in the first semi-final. Fast bowler Mohammed Shami led the Indian attack, taking 3 wickets for 48 runs off 10 overs, effectively limiting Australia on a sluggish pitch.

“This match is all about handling pressure – if you can push through, the opposition often falters,” Kohli explained.

For Australia, Steve Smith was the top scorer with 73 runs from 96 balls. Indian bowlers Varun Chakravarthy and Ravindra Jadeja each took two wickets.

“I believe the bowlers performed admirably, working hard throughout the innings,” remarked Australian captain Smith.

“It was clearly a challenging pitch to begin batting on, and rotating the strike was tough at times. I thought everyone put in a commendable effort tonight.”

Shreyas Iyer played a pivotal role for India, forming a crucial 91-run partnership off 111 balls for the third wicket to support the chase.

Lokesh Rahul finished the match undefeated on 42 from 34 balls, achieving the highest successful chase against Australia in an ICC event.

This victory for India ensures that the final will take place in Dubai, where the 2013 champions will now face either South Africa or New Zealand, who are set to compete on Wednesday night in Lahore, Pakistan. Had India exited the tournament, the final would have been held in Lahore.

After Australia elected to bat first following the toss, Shami struck early, dismissing opener Cooper Connolly for a duck after just nine balls.

Smith played a stabilising role for the Australian side, scoring a measured half-century and partnering with Travis Head to put on 50 runs off 32 balls for the second wicket. Head, who started slowly, ultimately reached 39 runs off 33 balls, supported by five fours and two sixes, before falling to Chakravarthy in the ninth over, with Shubman Gill executing an impressive running catch.

Marnus Labuschagne contributed 29 runs, adding another 56 runs with Smith for the third wicket, but India’s spinners took control during the middle overs as Rohit Sharma rotated his bowlers.

Jadeja struck again, trapping Labuschagne lbw in the 23rd over, followed by Josh Inglis being dismissed caught just four overs later.

This brought Smith and Carey to the crease, and the pair added 54 runs off 58 balls before Shami made a crucial breakthrough by bowling Smith in the 37th over. This proved to be a double blow as Axar Patel accounted for Glenn Maxwell (7) in the very next over.

At 6-205, Carey worked diligently to help Australia recover, smashing eight fours and a six before reaching his half-century off 48 balls.

Following Carey’s run-out, Australia managed to surpass the 250-run mark in the 48th over, with Ben Dwarshuis contributing 19 runs, including a four and a six. However, the total was still deemed 20-30 runs below par.

In pursuit of 265, Sharma scored 28 off 29 balls, hitting three boundaries and a six, but Shubman Gill was bowled for just eight runs. Connolly trapped Sharma lbw in the eighth over, bringing Kohli in to join Iyer.

The partnership between Kohli and Iyer proved vital for India’s success.

Kohli struck a total of five fours, reaching his fifty off 53 balls, and together they kept the required run rate in check while maintaining control over the chase.

Zampa missed a return catch from Kohli but redeemed himself by dismissing Iyer at the other end. Despite this setback, Axar Patel calmly added 27 runs off 30 balls.

As the match progressed, India did lose some wickets despite appearing to be in a commanding position, with Patel bowled in the 35th over and Kohli caught at the boundary by Zampa against the run of play in the 43rd.

Rahul sealed the victory with a powerful finish, including two boundaries and a pair of sixes, remaining unbeaten. Hardik Pandya played a quick-fire innings of 28 off 24 balls, featuring three sixes, as India consistently looked comfortable in their chase.

“At the halfway stage, we believed we had a reasonable score,” Sharma stated. “The pitch conditions didn’t really allow us to play freely. We executed our batting perfectly, staying calm and collected throughout our chase.”