Champions Trophy 2025: Virat Kohli’s 84 helps India cruise to final; beat Oz by 4 wickets

Earlier in the day, Australia won the toss and chose to bat. The men from down under posted 264, with captain Steve Smith scoring 73. For India, the pick of the bowlers was Shami, with a figure of 3/48.

Chasing  the total, India lost two early wickets - Gill and Sharma. Virat Kohli and Iyer stitched a good partnership to steady the innings. Virat Kohli scored 84 runs.

Also read: ICC Champions Trophy 2025: New Zealand: India’s ICC nemesis once again?

Hardik Pandya finally broke the pressure with a crucial shot. After four consecutive dot balls, he smashed one straight down the ground for a six. He follows it up with a couple, bringing India’s target down to 28 runs off 30 balls.

Hardik Pandya, who looked to finish off the match with a huge six after hitting two sixes, handed a catch to the fielder at long-off. India needed 6 runs in 13 balls.

KL Rahul finished off the game with a six and that took India over the line. India won the game by 4 wickets and enter the final of Champions Trophy for a record third time.

India will now face the winner of the New Zealand South Africa contest in the final.