Champions Trophy: Chase Master Virat Kohli delivers again as India down Australia to reach final

Dubai: Virat Kohli didn’t need to look at the scoreboard. He could sense India’s progress with every run he stole, every gap he pierced, and every partnership he stitched together. In yet another masterclass of controlled aggression, Kohli played the perfect chase to guide India to a four-wicket win over Australia in the Champions Trophy semi-finals at the Dubai International Stadium on Tuesday.

The Australian attack lacked the firepower they had in the 2023 World Cup final, but Kohli produced a disciplined effort to knock Australia out, like a boxer flooring his opponent with precise jabs.

When India chase, Kohli becomes a different beast. The situation brings out the best in him.

“The pitch was pretty similar to the other day against Pakistan. It is about understanding the conditions and rotating the strike because partnerships on this pitch are important,” the 36-year-old told the broadcasters after receiving the Player of the Match award.

Explaining his innings and the chase, Kohli added: “It all depends on the conditions. It is important to maintain composure at the crease. I wasn't rushed. The singles that I took were the most pleasing part for me.

“This game is all about pressure. If you go deep into the game, the opposition usually gives in. It is important to control your impulses. Even if the required rate is six an over, I am not bothered.”

Kohli, who controlled his shots and avoided taking the aerial route, spotted Adam Zampa’s googly early and finally attempted his first six over midwicket. However, he fell for 84, missing what would have been his 52nd century.

“I don’t know if this is my best knock ever; that’s up to you guys to break down. I have never focused on those things. When you don’t think about milestones, they happen. If I get to the three-figure mark, great, but the win is important. For me, those things don’t matter anymore.”

Electing to bat first, Travis Head threatened to take the match away from India again, but Varun Chakravarthy struck with his second ball to dent Australia’s hopes. However, Steve Smith held firm, stitching together three fifty-run partnerships — with Head, Marnus Labuschagne, and Alex Carey — to keep Australia in control.

Mohammed Shami, who had let two caught-and-bowled chances slip off Head and Smith, finally dismissed the Australian skipper with a full toss. Smith’s dismissal, followed by Glenn Maxwell’s exit and Carey’s untimely run-out, left Australia at least 30 runs short of a par score, as they were bowled out for 264.

Shami, returning to the side after a long injury break, finished with figures of 3 for 48 — the most economical among the Indian bowlers.

Rohit Sharma looked to play his natural attacking game to give India a quick start, but after Shubman Gill fell early and Rohit followed, Kohli and Shreyas Iyer steadied the chase with a 91-run fourth-wicket stand.

Kohli then stitched together two more crucial partnerships—with Axar Patel and KL Rahul—to bring India close to the target. Hardik Pandya’s late hitting, combined with Rahul’s composed unbeaten 42, ensured that the 2017 runners-up booked their place in the final with 11 balls to spare.

“Halfway through the game, we felt it was a reasonable score, and we had to bat really well. The wicket looked better, and that has been the nature of the surfaces. Credit to everyone involved. When you have six bowling options, you can choose from anyone you want,” said an elated Rohit Sharma.

“Kohli has done it for us for so many years. We wanted that big stand, which Shreyas and Virat had. Then the shots by Hardik in the end were very important.”

India will face the winner of Wednesday’s semi-final between New Zealand and South Africa in Lahore.

On the final, Rohit Sharma said: “You want all guys in form; that will give us a lot of confidence. We don’t want to think about the final. I want them to relax.”