For the last decade or so, Virat Kohli's presence in the middle has always given India a lot of confidence, especially in One-day cricket. On Tuesday, the modern-day batting maestro helped India romp into the final of the Champions Trophy 2025 with a four-wicket win over Australia in the first semifinal.
As India chased a challenging target of 265 against a depleted but always dangerous Australian side in the Champions Trophy semifinals in Dubai on Tuesday, the Indian dressing room presented a confident atmosphere because Virat Kohli was in the middle and holding the fort, as he has done on numerous occasions.
Though India head coach Gautam Gambhir said he would have felt the same with any other batter in the middle, the fans would have been a lot more confident with Kohli in the middle.
For me, I think everyone is important. It feels exactly the same, whether it's Virat in the middle or it's anyone else in the middle. Ultimately, it's about playing for the country. And it's about when you're representing your country, every individual is important.
Kohli went in for batting with India 43/2 after losing Shubman Gill (8) and Rohit Sharma (28) and scored 84 runs off 98 balls, hitting five boundaries in a measured and patient knock that took India to 225/5 when he departed.
In between, Kohli stitched a 91-run partnership with Shreyas Iyer (45), added 42 runs for the fourth wicket with Axar Patel (27), and raised 49 runs for the fifth wicket partnership with K.L Rahul (42 not out) to put India on course to victory.
Rahul and Hardik Pandya (28) put on a late show to take India through to victory in a tense run-chase against Australia. The pair formed a sixth-wicket partnership while the result was still in the balance, with India on 225/5 and still requiring 40 more runs from the remaining 44 balls for victory.
And their big hitting saw their side home to 267/6, with Pandya eventually dismissed in the 49th over for 28 off 24 balls, and Rahul seeing things home with a superb six, finishing with 42 from 34 balls.
Though India reached 267/6 in 48.1 overs and won with 11 balls to spare, Gambhir said it was not too close for comfort.
I think it was very, very professional, and the reason why I say that is because we had wickets in hand and that was the plan because we know that obviously wickets here in the second half can actually get a little slower.
The Indian bowlers had used the slight pace and helpful conditions to bundle out Australia for 264 -- - the highest total scored by any team in Dubai during the tournament at that point -- in what was a rematch of the final of the 2023 ODI World Cup in Ahmedabad that Australia won.
Australia skipper Steve Smith won the toss and elected to bat first. Travis Head had come out firing, making 39 off 33 balls before being caught by Gill off Varun Chakravarthy. It followed a tentative start from fellow opener Cooper Connolly, given the nod in place of Matt Short, who failed to trouble the scorers in his nine balls - removed in the third over, caught by Rahul off Shami.
Marnus Labuschagne was next to depart, putting in a useful 29 off 36 balls, followed by Josh Inglis for 11. However, India seized the match momentum after removing Australia captain Steve Smith for 73, bowled by Mohammed Shami, the dangerous Glenn Maxwell went soon after for just seven, bowled by Axar.
After Smith and Maxwell were dismissed, Carey looked to push the run-rate on, eventually run out for 61 in the 48th over, and Adam Zampa and Nathan Ellis both fell in the last two overs as Australia were bowled out with three balls remaining. Skipper Steve Smith said they should have put a few more runs on the board despite the difficult batting conditions.
It was a tricky wicket to start on and we did a good job. It played similarly throughout the game. A bit of hold and skid for spinners. It was a little two-paced. It wasn't the easiest batting condition. We could have put a few more runs on the board. If we had 280-plus, it could have been different. We were one wicket down too many down at each stage of the game," said Smith, who praised his bowlers, especially the spinners for putting India under pressure.
India captain Rohit Sharma agreed it was a close match.
Till the last ball is bowled, nothing is certain. Halfway through the game, we felt it was a reasonable score, and we have to bat really, really well. I thought we were very clinical with the bat. We were very calm and composed. The wicket looked better, and that has been the nature of the surfaces. The one that played today was slightly better. We just want to play good cricket and not read too much into what the pitch is doing..
Rohit said they were looking forward to playing the final and the form of his players gives him confidence.
When you want to play the final, you want all your guys in form. That is something that gives us a lot of confidence. We will not think too much about it. When the time comes, we will think about it. I also want the guys to relax.
