Team India qualified for the final ICC Champions Trophy 2025, defeating Australia in the first semi-final on March 4 in Dubai. Australia had batted first after winning the toss and posted 264 runs inside 50 overs.
Steve Smith led the way with Alex Carey (61) and Travis Head (39) being the other major contributors. Mohammad Shami took 3 wickets for India, while Varun Chakaravarthy and Ravindra Jadeja took two wickets each.
In reply, India lost Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma pretty early, but then Virat Kohli (84) steadied the ship. He made important partnerships with Shreyas Iyer (45), and Axar Patel (27) before KL Rahul (42*) and Hardik Pandya (28) took India to a 4-wicket win.
A frantic chase at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium kept everyone on the edge of their seats. The Indian dressing room wasn't any different. Virat Kohli, who would have preferred to be out in the middle to score the winning runs, stood in front of the room with the rest of the players, while an anxious Rohit Sharma sat in the corner.
But within moments, the team let out a great sigh of relief and burst into frenzied celebrations as KL Rahul finished it off in style with a six, giving India a four-wicket win against Australia in the semifinals.
The BCCI revealed a dressing room film from moments before the decisive win in Dubai, showing Kohli in a more upbeat mood than Rohit, who was worried while Hardik and Rahul were partnering.
However, the all-rounder left just as India was on the verge of victory. As Ravindra Jadeja walked down the stairs, Kohli is seen telling Rohit: "Maarne to chhakka hi ja raha hai woh" (he is going in intending to hit a six)."
Rahul scored the winning run. After regaining strike in the last over, the wicketkeeper-batsman faced Glenn Maxwell with the first ball and smashed it over long-on for a six.
The footage showed Indian players celebrating in the dressing room, with Kohli, Mohammed Shami, and Hardik hugging each other. Rohit, who finally had a smile on his face, was hugged by Kohli, who later received the Player of the Match award for his knock.
Here is the video:
