Skip to main content

India hold nerve to reach Champions Trophy final

## India Edges Out Australia in Thrilling Champions Trophy Semi-Final

India secured a dramatic four-wicket victory over Australia in a pulsating Champions Trophy semi-final in Dubai, booking their place in Sunday's final. Chasing a challenging 265, India overcame a shaky start to prevail with 11 balls to spare, thanks to a match-winning six from KL Rahul.

**Australia's Innings: A Solid Foundation Crumbles**

Australia, batting first, appeared poised for a significantly higher total, reaching a comfortable 198-4 in the 38th over. Stand-in captain Steve Smith anchored the innings with a determined 73, forging crucial partnerships with Marnus Labuschagne (56) and Alex Carey (61). Carey, in particular, impressed with eight fours and a six, showcasing his powerful strokeplay. Travis Head also contributed a quickfire 39.

However, Australia's momentum faltered dramatically in the space of six balls. Smith missed a full toss from Mohammed Shami, initiating a collapse. Glenn Maxwell, after a six off Axar Patel, was bowled by a quicker delivery in the following over. The crucial blow came with a brilliant run-out of Carey by Shreyas Iyer, ending a promising partnership and effectively halting Australia's charge. The final 10 overs yielded a meager 59 runs. Despite a strong start, Australia ultimately finished on 264 all out in 49.3 overs. This missed opportunity proved costly, leaving them significantly short of a potentially match-winning score. Their total, while respectable, fell short of the 320 they potentially could have achieved.

**India's Chase: Composed Control and Thrilling Finish**

India's chase began inauspiciously with the early dismissals of captain Rohit Sharma (lbw for 28) and Shubman Gill (bowled for 8) within the first eight overs. However, Virat Kohli (84) displayed his mastery of run chases, exhibiting composure and skill. While Glenn Maxwell dropped Kohli on 51, the Indian stalwart continued his measured approach.

The match appeared to be heading for a comfortable victory for India until Kohli's dismissal with 40 runs needed. Australia’s spinners applied pressure, creating a tense atmosphere. The crowd grew quiet as the equation tightened. But Hardik Pandya exploded, smashing two consecutive sixes off Adam Zampa in a crucial 24-ball 28, igniting the crowd and shifting the momentum decisively back in India's favor. Although Pandya was eventually dismissed with six runs still needed, Rahul sealed the victory with a towering six, ending the match on a high.

**Key Moments and Analysis:**

* **Australia's batting collapse:** The loss of Smith and Maxwell within six balls proved catastrophic, significantly hindering their final total.

* **Kohli's composed innings:** Kohli once again showcased his exceptional ability to steer his team to victory under pressure.

* **Pandya's explosive cameo:** His two sixes broke the tension and revitalized India's chase.

* **India's home advantage:** Playing all their matches in Dubai provided a significant advantage for India, offering familiarity and home-crowd support.

**Looking Ahead:**

India's victory means the Champions Trophy final will be held in Dubai instead of Lahore due to security concerns. They will face either New Zealand or South Africa in the final on Sunday. Their impressive run and the comments made by captain Rohit Sharma and commentator Aatif Nawaz suggest India enter the final as strong favorites, but the team acknowledged that anything is possible until the final ball is bowled. This semi-final showcased both India's prowess and Australia's resilience despite their ultimately disappointing outcome.

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A night I was a lone home

The night I was a lone at home, the sky looked very dark, I can see no stars and no moon, The was covered by the black cloud and the wind blew heavily and it made a terrible sound of the big leafy mango tree near my window room, the sound made me sleepless and frighten, I tried to dose my eyes but I was still awake then I went to the kitchen to drink water. It was very dark and very quiet that night. Suddenly, I a noise from the back door. My legs and my hands to shake and then the sound was louder. Now my body shook all over but I tried to hide behind the cub board. Immediately, I found that it wasn't a ghost, I knew it was burglars. They tried to break the door. I went to my room immediately and call the police. When the police arrived, the burglars had gone away. The burglars stole everything in the dining room. Few days later, the burglars were caught thle police. In short, whenever you are alone, you should lock the doors carefully.
Post a Comment
Read more
             Top 10 Best Beaches in Cambodia | 4K Video | Cambodia Travel Guide        Koh Rong Samloem – This paradise island off the coast of Cambodia is one of the crown jewels of Southeast Asia. Koh Rong Samloem is home to some of the most stunning and secluded beaches in the world, with powdery white-sand beaches and crystal-clear waters. It’s the perfect place to relax and take in the tranquil atmosphere – and it’s also one of the best places for snorkeling, diving, and sailing.     Otres Beach – Otres Beach is one of the most stunning and sprawling beaches on Cambodia’s south coast. With its mix of pristine white sand and colorful fishing boats, Otres Beach is a great spot for swimming, sun-bathing, and lounging. Plus, it’s a great place for socializing, with a bustling market, restaurants, and bars.     Koh Tuch Beach – Located in the Gulf of Thailand, Koh Tuch is an unt...
Post a Comment
Read more

Champions League: PSG beat Liverpool; Barcelona, Bayern and Inter also win

## Champions League Round of 16: Upsets, Records, and Dominant Performances The Champions League Round of 16 concluded with a dramatic mix of upsets, record-breaking performances, and dominant displays from established giants. Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) secured a thrilling victory over Premier League leaders Liverpool, while Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Inter Milan comfortably advanced. **PSG's Penalty Shootout Triumph Over Liverpool:** In a tense encounter at Anfield, PSG edged past Liverpool in a penalty shootout following a 1-0 victory on the night. The aggregate score ended 1-1, sending the tie to penalties. Ousmane Dembele's goal, capitalizing on a defensive error 12 minutes into the second half, proved crucial for PSG. While Liverpool, dominating possession and hitting the post through Jarell Quansah, created numerous chances and forced several saves from Gianluigi Donnarumma, they couldn't break the deadlock. Mohamad Salah converted Liverpool...
Post a Comment
Read more