The hopes of Pakistani cricket fans were not fulfilled. If India had lost the semi-final in Dubai, the Champions Trophy final would have returned to Pakistan—that was their wish. But when Virat Kohli is at the crease chasing runs, no one’s wishes come true except Kohli’s!

It’s not that India wasn’t in danger while chasing Australia’s 264. The two openers, Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma, fell early, leaving India at 43 runs in 7.5 overs. Kohli, who was dismissed for just three in the last match, played masterful innings, guiding India’s chase like a chess grandmaster. India won with 11 balls to spare and secured victory by 4 wickets. Kohli’s unbeaten 84 off 98 balls made him the hero, ensuring India’s spot in the final in Dubai next Sunday.

India’s opponent in the final will be the winner of the second semi-final between New Zealand and South Africa. This semi-final in Lahore will also be the last match in Pakistan for this year’s Champions Trophy.

Kohli’s Masterclass Takes India to the Final

Kohli’s innings, which helped him cross the 8,000-run milestone and took India to their fifth Champions Trophy final, reminded many of his best days. India was in trouble early, losing Shubman Gill to Australian pacer Ben Dorshuis for 30 runs in the fifth over. Just 16 balls after Kohli’s dismissal, Rohit Sharma was out LBW to spinner Cooper Connolly. Rohit, who had been given a lifeline earlier in the match, returned for 28 runs.

Australia’s Early Pressure

With the pitch dry and spin-friendly, Australia hoped to put India under pressure by bringing in spinners early. While they succeeded in the initial overs, they couldn’t maintain the pressure. Kohli, like a knife cutting through the field, found gaps and kept the scoreboard ticking, with great support from his teammates.

Kohli’s Partnerships Keep India on Track

Kohli didn’t let India stray from the path of victory. He built crucial partnerships, including 91 runs with Shreyas Iyer for the third wicket, 44 with Axar Patel for the fourth, and 47 with KL Rahul for the fifth. Despite Australia trying to break the partnerships by bringing in part-timers like Glenn Maxwell and Travis Head, they couldn’t succeed. Although Iyer was dismissed for 45 and Axar for 27, it was the Kohli-Rahul partnership that steered India toward victory. At one point, India needed 40 runs from 45 balls with 6 wickets in hand, and the Australians showed signs of giving up.

Kohli’s Departure and Rahul’s Calm Finish

Just when Australia hoped to make a breakthrough, leg spinner Adam Zampa struck, dismissing Kohli with a long-on catch while trying to hit a googly. Hardik Pandya (28) joined Rahul and added a quick 34-run partnership. Rahul, who was unbeaten on 42, guided India home, with Ravindra Jadeja by his side.

Australia’s Struggles with the Bat

Australia, having won the toss and elected to bat, also faced early troubles. In 8.2 overs, both openers, Connolly and Head, were out for a combined total of 54 runs. Mohammed Shami dismissed Connolly for a duck, and although Head made 39, his partnership with Steve Smith put on 50 runs. Australia’s middle-order, led by Smith (73) and Alex Carey (61), helped Australia recover. Smith shared a 56-run partnership with Marnus Labuschagne for the third wicket and another 54-run stand with Carey for the fifth wicket. However, Shami dismissed Smith at 73 runs, and Australia’s scoring slowed down.

Australia’s Collapse

After 37 overs, Australia was 199 for 5, with a chance to cross 300. But after Maxwell (7 off 5 balls) was dismissed by Axar Patel, Carey’s efforts to accelerate came to a halt. Carey’s innings of 61 runs off 57 balls ended when he was run out by Shreyas Iyer’s direct throw. Over the next 57 balls, Australia managed only 51 more runs, losing 4 wickets. Shami took 3 wickets, while Varun and Jadeja each took 2 wickets.

Brief Scores:

Australia: 264 in 49.3 overs (Smith 73, Carey 61, Head 39, Labuschagne 29; Shami 3/48, Jadeja 2/40, Varun 2/49, Pandya 1/40, Axar 1/43).
India: 267/6 in 48.1 overs (Kohli 84, Iyer 45, Rahul 42*, Rohit 28, Axar 27; Zampa 2/60, Connolly 1/37, Dorshuis 1/39, Ellis 2/49).
Result: India won by 4 wickets.
Man of the Match: Virat Kohli.