‘Habibi come to Dubai’ – Virat Kohli arrives at kingly best in India’s revenge chase to defeat Australia

In not a usual sea of blue like it is anywhere India play, the Men in Blue entered the field once again in an ICC knockout match against Australia.

Ahead of the game, all the hype was created around the rivalry between the two nations after India had faced a shambolic defeat to Australia in the 2023 ODI World Cup at home. Not the same stage, but the stakes were high as a win here would guarantee India a place in the ongoing Champions Trophy grand finale, and they did just that with a five-wicket win at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday, March 04.

The Aussies won the toss and opted to bat first on a tricky, slow surface in Dubai. However, an early blow in the form of Cooper Connolly followed by headache man Travis Head inside the first powerplay meant that Rohit Sharma’s men started brilliantly. However, a solid effort from Steven Smith meant that the Australian skipper wasn’t in to give up on a grand stage.

Smith chipped in with an important 73 off 96 balls, however, his stay at the crease was finally halted by Mohammed Shami’s low full-toss. It did not hurt the six-time World Cup winners, as stumper-batter Alex Carey carried forward the momentum even after his skipper’s dismissal. A start-stop innings finally came to an end, as India bundled the unit for 264 in 49.3 overs, leaving the onus onto the batters.

India’s start wasn’t the greatest one, as Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill left the crease unsatisfied. In came the seasoned campaigner Virat Kohli, who along with Shreyas Iyer, built the most important partnership, where the duo added 91 runs for the third wicket. Iyer could not complete his fifty, as Adam Zampa bowled him out for 45. But Kohli knew that whoever the partner be, he needed to anchor the chase, as he has done over the years in the blue jersey.

The chase master then did a couple of cameo partnerships with Axar Patel and KL Rahul. At his kingly self, Kohli was set for yet another masterful century, however, Zampa ended the hopes again, getting him caught at long on. The 36-year-old departed for 84 from 98 balls, where his knock included just five boundaries, which was great given the team situation at that particular moment.

Breaking the myth of conditions, Rahul and Hardik Pandya unleashed their marauding blades to bring India further closer to the target, and a spot in the finale on Sunday, March 09. A huge maximum by Rahul on the first ball of the 49th over was enough to add final nail in the coffin that knocked Smith & Co. out of the tournament. The Men in Blue will now play the winner from second semi-final between South Africa and New Zealand, which is set for Wednesday at Lahore.

Meanwhile, the keyboard cricketers were abuzz with their strong Twitter game, adding their joy to India’s thrilling win in Dubai, the venue for the finale as well.

Here’s how Twitter (now X) reacted to IND vs AUS, Semi-Final 1 of Champions Trophy 2025

It hasn’t yet sunk in. A team so good, easily the best in the tournament, losing the the final. But everyone will remember the journey of Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid and their boys. You did us proud, you will continue to do so with your entertaining and aggressive brand of… https://t.co/9vdml7euvG

09:34 PM · Mar 04, 2025

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