Australian captain Steve Smith won the toss and decided to bat first in Tuesday's (March 4, 2025) Champions Trophy semifinal match between India and Australia in Dubai. Australia made two changes to their team, whereas India played the same XI that had been performing well in the tournament until now.

Even though India-Pakistan is generally considered one of the greatest rivalries in cricket, the India-Australia series has been some of the most compelling and tautly fought cricket in recent times. This win by India broke a 3-3 stalemate with Australia in ICC white-ball tournament knockouts since the 1998 Champions Trophy quarter-final. India has already beaten Australia in the quarter-final of the 2011 ODI World Cup but has lost in the 2015 World Cup semi-final, 2023 World Cup final, and 2023 ICC World Test Championship final.

Australia's Innings: A Stuttering Start and Resilient Recovery

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Being asked to bat first in their first ODI at the stadium since 2019, Australia received a frightening start when Travis Head was dropped by Mohammed Shami off the very first ball. Despite this reprieve, Australia struggled to build a solid foundation. However, Steve Smith (73) and Alex Carey (61) played crucial knocks to help their team post a respectable total of 264 in 49.3 overs. Mohammed Shami led India’s bowling attack with three wickets, keeping the Australian total in check.

India’s Chase: Kohli’s Brilliance Seals the Win

India make it to their third successive #ChampionsTrophy Final 🙌😍 pic.twitter.com/FrYlgIKXJu

— ICC (@ICC) March 4, 2025

India's response was not good as both of their openers, Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill, were sent back early. But Virat Kohli took the initiative, proving his dominance with a commanding innings. Throughout his knock, Kohli broke several milestones, becoming just the second batsman after Sachin Tendulkar to score 8000 runs in ODI chases and moving ahead of Shikhar Dhawan as India's leading run-scorer in Champions Trophy history. While Kohli got out in the 43rd over, KL Rahul (42 not out) sealed the victory for India, ending the match with a six off Glenn Maxwell in the second last over.

Road to the Final

With this victory, India earned a record fifth final appearance in a Champions Trophy. The Men in Blue were earlier co-champions with Sri Lanka in 2002 and had won the 2013 final against England by five runs at Edgbaston. But they lost to Pakistan by 180 runs in 2017 and also lost the 2000 ICC Knockout Trophy final to New Zealand by four wickets.

India now hopes for the victor of Wednesday's second semifinal between New Zealand and South Africa in Lahore, preparing for an intriguing final encounter.