Virat Kohli and KL Rahul formed a critical 47-run partnership for India, which helped the side cross the finish line. India defeated Australia in the semi-final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 by 4 wickets and qualified for the final of the tournament to be played on March 9.
Thanks to Steve Smith’s 73 and Alex Carey’s 61, Australia posted 264 runs on the board after choosing to bat first as they won the toss. Mohammad Shami took 3 wickets while Ravindra Jadeja and Varun Chakaravarthy took 2 wickets.
In reply, Virat Kohli made 84, Shreyas Iyer made 45 and KL Rahul made 42* as India chased down the total with 4 wickets in hand and won the game comfortably.
KL Rahul and Kohli had another, brief partnership that did not impress Ravindra Jadeja. The India all-rounder was in the middle of his over, which he is known for finishing quickly. Jadeja typically takes 50-60 seconds to complete one over, but if it's a maiden, it can sometimes be as short as 45 seconds or so.
India was in the middle of putting pressure on the Australian batters, tying them down and making run-scoring difficult, Jadeja was racing through his overs, until in the middle of one, Rahul and Kohli were discussing getting a fielder in slips if the ball spun.
However, Jadeja quickly ended their short conversation with a one-line gem captured brilliantly by the stump mic.
Here's how the conversation panned out:
KL Rahul: Nahi ja raha itna (It's not turning much)
Virat Kohli from covers: Bhai teen ball hain. Slip le le. Kya pata nikal jaaye. (Take a slip. Three balls are left. One may spin)
KL Rahul to Kohli: Ek ball ghooma hai ab tak bas (Only one ball has turned thus far)
Ravindra Jadeja: Aap dono baatein karo, main tab tak teen ball daal deta hu. (You guys keep talking, and in the meantime, I'll bowl the remaining three deliveries)
See here:
Shortly after, Jadeja sprung into action, ending Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne's alliance at 56. Labuschagne was caught out LBW, leaving India on the back foot as Jadeja provided a much-needed breakthrough.
Jadeja quickly brought back Josh Inglis, Australia's centurion from their game against England, who chipped the ball straight to Kohli at covers.
