Virat Kohli Creates History as India Defeats Australia to Reach Champions Trophy 2025 Final
India’s semi-final clash against Australia in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 was a thrilling encounter, with Virat Kohli once again proving why he is regarded as one of the greatest batters of all time. While chasing a competitive total of 265, Kohli delivered a masterclass in batting, guiding India to a well-earned four-wicket victory in Dubai.
His composed innings not only helped India reach the final but also earned him a place in the history books. Kohli became India’s highest run-scorer in ICC Champions Trophy history, surpassing Shikhar Dhawan’s previous record of 701 runs in the tournament. The veteran batter has now accumulated 746 runs in 17 matches, solidifying his reputation as one of India’s finest performers in multi-nation tournaments.
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India Triumphs Over Australia by 4 Wickets:ICC Champions Trophy 2025
India’s Highest Run-Scorers in ICC Champions Trophy
With his latest achievement, Virat Kohli has topped the list of India’s highest run-getters in the ICC Champions Trophy. Here’s a look at the top five Indian batters in the tournament’s history:
Player | Runs | Matches
Virat Kohli | 746 | 17
Shikhar Dhawan | 701 | 10
Sourav Ganguly | 665 | 13
Rahul Dravid | 627 | 19
Rohit Sharma | 585 | 14
While Shikhar Dhawan amassed his 701 runs in just 10 matches at an outstanding average, Kohli’s consistency over 17 games has now put him at the top of the charts. His ability to perform under pressure and anchor the innings when needed has been invaluable for Team India.
Australia’s First-Innings Effort – Steve Smith Leads the Way
Batting first, Australia managed to put up 264 runs on the scoreboard in 49.3 overs. The innings was anchored by Steve Smith, who played a patient knock of 73 runs off 96 balls. Smith’s ability to hold the innings together was crucial, especially as wickets fell at regular intervals.
Despite Smith’s effort, Australia struggled to gain complete control, with India’s bowlers keeping things tight. The innings had some valuable contributions from the middle order, but they failed to capitalize on their starts.
Indian Bowlers Shine
India’s bowling attack put up a disciplined performance to restrict Australia under 270. Mohammed Shami was the pick of the bowlers, claiming three wickets and continuing his excellent form in knockout matches.
Supporting him, Ravindra Jadeja and Varun Chakravarthy took two wickets each, ensuring that the Aussies never built unstoppable momentum. India’s pacers and spinners worked well in tandem, keeping the Australian batters under constant pressure.
India Triumphs Over Australia by 4 Wickets:ICC Champions Trophy 2025
Here’s a quick look at India’s bowling performance:
Bowler Wickets Overs
Mohammed Shami 3 9.3
Ravindra Jadeja 2 10
Varun Chakravarthy 2 10
Despite a competitive total of 264, Australia knew they needed early wickets to put India under pressure.
India’s Chase – Early Setback but Kohli Stands Tall
Chasing 265 for victory, India had a shaky start as they lost their openers Rohit Sharma (12) and Shubman Gill (18) early. The scoreboard read 43/2, and the Australian bowlers had their tails up.
At this crucial juncture, Virat Kohli walked in and took control of the innings, playing a composed and authoritative knock. With his vast experience in handling high-pressure chases, Kohli knew exactly when to rotate the strike and when to attack the bowlers.
His ability to pick gaps, take quick singles, and punish the bad balls made his innings a true masterclass. He finished with 84 runs off 98 balls, anchoring the innings and ensuring India remained on course for victory.
Kohli and Iyer’s Crucial Partnership
With India in trouble at 43/2, Virat Kohli found an able partner in Shreyas Iyer, and together, they steadied the innings. The duo added a crucial partnership, ensuring that India did not suffer a collapse in the middle overs.
Iyer played some elegant strokes, taking the attack to the Australian bowlers when needed, while Kohli continued to play his natural game, keeping the scoreboard ticking.
Their partnership helped India cross the 150-run mark, reducing the pressure on the lower middle order.
Axar Patel and KL Rahul Provide Stability
After Iyer’s departure, Axar Patel and KL Rahul played valuable knocks, keeping India’s chase on track. Kohli’s ability to build partnerships was evident once again, as he calmly rotated strike with both batters.
Despite some tight overs from Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, and Ben Dwarshuis, Kohli and his partners ensured India remained in control.
Hardik Pandya and Rahul Finish the Job
As the match neared its conclusion, Kohli fell after his brilliant 84-run knock, but KL Rahul (42) and Hardik Pandya (21)** ensured there were no late hiccups.
They chased down the target in 47.2 overs, securing a memorable four-wicket victory and booking India’s place in the final.
Virat Kohli – Player of the Match
For his outstanding innings under pressure, Virat Kohli was named Player of the Match. His well-paced 84 off 98 balls was the difference between the two sides.
Kohli’s ability to adapt to different match situations and his impeccable footwork against both pacers and spinners stood out. His innings was a perfect example of how to construct a chase in a knockout game.
Kohli’s Knock at a Glance
• Runs: 84
• Balls: 98
• Fours: 7
• Strike Rate: 85.7
• Partnerships: Key stands with Iyer, Axar, and Rahul
Australia’s Bowling Performance
Despite their efforts, Australia’s bowlers couldn’t contain Kohli and India’s middle order. Here’s a look at their bowling performance:
Bowler Wickets Overs
Nathan Ellis 2 10
Adam Zampa 1 10
Ben Dwarshuis 1 9
Cooper Connolly 1 8
Ellis and Zampa tried their best to put India under pressure, but Kohli’s brilliance proved too much for the Aussies.
India Marches into the Final
With this four-wicket win over Australia, India has booked a spot in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Final. The Men in Blue will now aim to lift their third Champions Trophy title, having previously won in 2002 (shared) and 2013.
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Key Takeaways from India’s Semi-Final Victory
1. Kohli’s Record-Breaking Knock – Becoming India’s highest run-getter in Champions Trophy history.
2. Shami’s Brilliant Bowling – His three-wicket haul set the tone for India.
3. Iyer, Axar, and Rahul’s Valuable Contributions – They provided crucial support to Kohli.
4. India’s Controlled Chase – Despite early setbacks, calm partnerships ensured victory.
Now, all eyes are on the final showdown as India looks to add another ICC trophy to their cabinet. Will they emerge victorious? Fans are eagerly waiting for the grand finale!
