Champions Trophy: India into final as Kohli anchors chase against Australia

Mohammed Shami captured 3-48 – including the huge wicket of Steve Smith, whose 73 was his best ODI knock since February 2024 – as Australia were bowled out for 264.

Hunting a bigger target than they had needed to when winning Group A with a perfect record, India lost both openers early but Virat Kohli's 84 ensured they were never really troubled in their chase, and they will now face South Africa or New Zealand in the final.

Losing Cooper Connolly to Shami for a nine-ball duck represented an inauspicious start for Australia, and when Varun Chakravarthy had Travis Head caught by Shubman Gill just as he was starting to look dangerous on 39, they had further cause for concern.

Travis Head unleashes havoc with the willow before Varun Chakaravarthy strikes back for India Watch live now in India on @StarSportsIndiaHead here for broadcast details in other territories https://t.co/S0poKnxpTX pic.twitter.com/Dg1tEMxpew

— ICC (@ICC) March 4, 2025

But Steve Smith scored a watchful 73 off 96 with support from Marnus Labuschagne (29) and Josh Inglis (11) to help Australia lift themselves to 198-4, from 54-2.

At that moment, Smith's side were looking at a total of 300-plus, but the skipper was cleaned up by Shami in the 37th over, and a huge misjudgement from Glenn Maxwell (seven) saw him fall victim to Axar Patel just five balls later in a further blow to Australia's hopes.

A stoic 61 from Alex Carey staved off a total collapse, but he was run out by Shreyas Iyer when attempting to get back for two runs with Australia 249-8 in the 48th over.

India did an expert job of closing out the innings from there, limiting Australia to 66 runs from 72 deliveries after Maxwell had fallen. Though their score of 264 was respectable, it was one India could chase with confidence.

But the soft dismissal of Shubman Gill (eight) preceded Connolly trapping Rohit Sharma lbw for 28, with the India skipper taking a review with him as the tracker confirmed the ball was in line to crash leg stump.

At 43-2, India could have allowed nerves to get the better of them, but they had the perfect man to steady the ship in Kohli, who shared a 91-run third-wicket stand with Iyer.

Kohli continued for another 16 overs after Adam Zampa struck to remove Iyer for 45, looking for a repeat of his match-winning century against Pakistan in the group stage.

Though Ben Dwarshuis' catch ensured Kohli would not see through the chase this time, he departed with India needing 40 from 44 balls, and they coasted home, helped by Hardik Pandya thrashing three sixes in his score of 28.

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

— ICC (@ICC) March 4, 2025

India's victory means they are now unbeaten in 10 men's ODIs at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, winning nine and drawing the other.

They are just the second team to ever complete 10 games in the format at any ground without losing, after New Zealand at the University Oval in Dunedin (10 wins). The United Arab Emirates will now host Sunday's final, too.

This was a memorable outing for Kohli, who became only the third India player to feature in 50 men's ODIs against Australia, after Sachin Tendulkar (71) and MS Dhoni (55).