India beat Australia by four wickets to reach Champions Trophy final

Dubai: Virat Kohli’s calculated knock propelled India to a four-wicket win over Australia in the Champions Trophy semi-finals at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.

Set a target of 265, the Chase Master walked in when the team was in trouble but cut out all risks to anchor the chase. Kohli and Shreyas Iyer steadied the innings with a crucial 91-run fourth-wicket partnership before the former stitched together vital stands with Axar Patel (44) and KL Rahul (47) to take India closer to victory. Kohli eventually fell playing his first aerial shot of the innings, but by then, the damage was done.

Hardik Pandya showcased his big-hitting prowess before his dismissal, while Rahul remained unbeaten on 42 to guide the 2017 runners-up home with 11 balls to spare.

Earlier, Steve Smith and Alex Carey scored half-centuries to help Australia post the highest total in this Champions Trophy at the venue. However, the twin strikes of Smith and Glenn Maxwell in quick succession stalled their momentum, and Carey's run-out compounded their woes as they finished at least 25 runs short of a par score.

India will face the winners of Wednesday’s semi-final between New Zealand and South Africa in the final in Dubai on March 9.

Adam Zampa finally ended Kohli’s stay with a googly that the Indian batter read early and tried to play over long-on, but he didn’t get the timing and the elevation that he would have desired. The Chase Master dismissed for a well-made 84. His exit is still not a major worry for India as KL Rahul has stepped up to the demands by scoring freely, making sure that the exit of Axar will not pull the team down.. Australian attack lacked the teeth which they would have otherwise had if Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood would have provided. India needs another 39 from 42 balls.

An off-side trap is set for Virat Kohli, with Connolly operating from around the wicket. Two fielders are stationed between extra cover and mid-off, trying to lure Kohli into a false shot. It’s the same region where Maxwell spilled a tough chance when Kohli was on 51. But the Master Chaser isn’t falling for it. Instead of driving on the front foot, Kohli is rocking back and guiding the ball square to deep cover — a mark of his experience. As long as Kohli is at the crease, India's chances of reaching the final remain firmly in their favour. After 40 overs, India are 200 for four, needing 65 runs off 60 balls.

Axar Patel's positive intent, coupled with Virat Kohli’s acumen, had carried India closer to the target. But just when the Indian batters needed to adopt a common-sense approach, Axar went for an expansive shot against Ellis and was bowled. Wickets will be hard to come by on this good batting surface unless the batters make mistakes. The runs are trickling in, and if India can score another 30-40 runs without losing a wicket, it should be a matter of completing the formalities. After 35 overs, India are 178 for four, needing another 87 runs off 90 balls.

Australia missed a chance to put India in deeper trouble. Glenn Maxwell dropped a tough chance off Kohli on the last ball of the 26th over from Cooper Connolly. Two balls later, Shreyas Iyer, in a lapse of concentration, tried to cut a straight delivery from Adam Zampa — the leg-spinner dismissing Shreyas for the fourth time — with the ball crashing into the stumps. India will need to exercise caution, and Kohli, the master chaser, will be aware of the pitfalls. From the looks of it, Kohli will try to anchor the innings till the end, while Axar Patel is likely to play his shots. After 28 overs, India are 141 for three.

It’s business as usual for Kohli and Shreyas, who are primed for bigger scores. Kohli, who reached his 74th half-century, is in that zone and seems to have his sights set on another century. The set pair is milking the bowling, and the Australian spinners are struggling to extract anything extra from the pitch. Australia’s inexperienced bowling attack might face difficulty in containing the Indian batters. Skipper Steve Smith, who hoped for a bigger score after electing to bat first, will be disappointed, as they are at least 25-30 runs short of what they would have hoped for. After 25 overs, India are 131 for two with Kohli on 50 (54 balls) and Shreyas 43 (56). India need another 132 from 25 overs

Kohli and Shreyas are steadily building their partnership, scoring 50 runs off 67 balls. With the asking rate at 5.54, they could continue to play in this fashion to take India closer to the target. The wicket remains true, and both batters are able to play their shots with ease. Australian skipper Steve Smith is rotating his bowlers to break the partnership, but has yet to find success. Meanwhile, is pacer Ellis Australia’s Mark Wood? The young pacer is putting himself at risk of injury, as he falls after delivering his balls. Ellis suffered a fall in practice during the mid-innings break and repeated the act during the 16th over. After 19 overs, India are 93 for two, needing 172 from 186 balls. Kohli is batting on 26 and Shreyas on 29.

Time to consolidate. Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer are not taking any chances, and with the wicket showing little variation, the surface could only get better under lights. Shreyas is looking to extend his impressive run after scoring a crucial half-century against New Zealand in the previous game at the same venue. The Australian spinners are not posing a significant threat but are maintaining a disciplined line and length to control the run flow. Adam Zampa has read the wicket well, varying his pace effectively. There is little to separate the two teams at this stage, and the experienced duo should continue to rotate the strike and keep the scoreboard ticking. After 15 overs, India are 75 for two.

Australia’s Cooper Connolly, playing only his fourth ODI, couldn’t contribute with the bat after being dismissed for a duck. But the 21-year-old, who replaced the injured Matthew Short, made a telling impact with the ball — dismissing the dangerous-looking Indian skipper Rohit Sharma to strengthen Australia’s chances. There couldn’t be a better batter in the world to claim as his maiden ODI wicket — what a start for the young left-arm spinner! After nine overs, India are in trouble at 47 for two with Indian fans’ hopes resting on Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer.

India have lost the dependable Shubman Gill — to a shot he would not be proud of. Caught in two minds between guiding the ball to third man or defending, his indecision dragged the delivery from Ben Dwarshuis onto his stumps, giving Australia an early breakthrough. However, skipper Rohit Sharma — living dangerously — seems to have made up his mind to take the aggressive route during the powerplay overs. After six overs, India are 39 for one with Rohit on 27.

As India begins their chase, Shubman Gill — touted as a future legend of Indian cricket — has switched bat manufacturers, joining the iconic MRF brand. The Chennai-based company has been associated with many illustrious names in cricket, including Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara, Steve Waugh, AB de Villiers, and Virat Kohli. Now, Gill will be hoping his runs match those legends. At the other end, skipper Rohit Sharma is playing in his trademark fashion, giving India the right start in their pursuit of 265. After three overs, India is 17 for no loss.

Half-centuries from Australian skipper Steve Smith and Alex Carey propelled Australia to a challenging 264 in the Champions Trophy semi-finals at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.

Electing to bat first, the Australians capitalised on wayward bowling, keeping the scoreboard ticking by picking gaps and playing innovative shots. Mohammed Shami was the most successful Indian bowler with three wickets as Australia were all out with three balls remaining.

Australia have posted the highest total on this ground in the Champions Trophy, and the highest successful chase at this venue is 285, achieved by Sri Lanka against Pakistan in 2013. The pitch doesn’t appear to hold any demons and should present a good target for the strong Indian batting lineup. However, they will need a solid start to chase down the total.

Australia were threatening to push their score closer to 300, but wickets of Smith, who scored a battling 73, and Glenn Maxwell in successive overs towards the end scuttled their plans. Carey shifted gears to mix caution with aggression, but a brilliant run-out from Shreyas Iyer ended his stay, and Australia fell 20 runs short.

Smith noted that the match is often won or lost in the middle overs. Australia have managed them well, and it remains to be seen if India can do the same.

Varun Chakravarthy, who took his first wicket off the second ball of his opening over, finished his spell with the wicket of Ben Dwarshuis off the second ball of his final over, halting Australia’s march toward a bigger target. However, the wicket didn't seem to deter Carey, who continued to push Australia’s total with his innovative shot-making. But Shreyas Iyer’s brilliant direct throw from deep square saw Carey short of his crease, bringing his fighting knock to an end. Australia, at 252 for eight in 48 overs, have posted the highest score in this Champions Trophy at Dubai.

Wickets are the best way to curtail the scoring. The twin-strike means Australia have adopted a cautious approach, looking to take it deep, while the Indian bowlers have found little room to push them further behind. Carey, who reached his 12th half-century, has provided the Australian innings with momentum, but he needs to carry on until the end to set a winning target. After 43 overs, Australia is 227 for six.

Nothing went right for Shami at the start. Two dropped caught-and-bowled chances off Head and Smith must have played on his mind, while several shots evaded fielders — making it seem like luck had deserted Team India. But the veteran pacer finally found the breakthrough. When Smith stepped down the track to force the pace, Shami bowled straight at the stumps — and the full toss found its target. The wicket opened the door further as Glenn Maxwell departed in a hurry, playing a rash shot after hitting a six off Axar Patel. Yet, the Indian bowlers have lacked the discipline that could have kept the scoring further in check. After 38 overs, Australia is 206 for six, with Carey on 39.

There seems to be a communication gap between the bowlers and the captain. The field placements and the lengths don't match, allowing Inglis to pick his gaps to perfection. The Australian batters are playing their shots through the line, indicating their trust in the wicket. Smith and Inglis have stitched an invaluable 42-run partnership for the fifth wicket off 48 balls, setting the launch pad for the final offensive in the last 10 overs. Australia have maneuvered the middle overs well, reaching 186 for four after 35 overs, with Smith on 71 and Inglis on 29.

Australian batters' aggressive intent has put the Indian spinners under pressure, never allowing the scoring rate to drop. India needs a couple of quick wickets — otherwise, the Men in Blue could be chasing a target closer to 300, which might not be easy in a knockout semi-final. Credit should be given to the Australian batters, as both Smith and Inglis have manipulated the gaps well and never allowed the bowlers to settle. After 33 overs, Australia is 173 for four.

Smith keeps Australia in the game with his 35th half-century. India have kept the deep midwicket vacant, looking to guard against sweep shots, but the bowlers have erred in length — and the Australian batters have capitalised on the offerings. Jadeja, however, found a way to break the partnership, dismissing Josh Inglis, caught by Kohli at cover. The pitch seems to have settled after the early scare, with the ball coming on nicely to the bat. The pacers are extracting more assistance than the spinners on this surface. After 27 overs, Australia is 144 for four, with Smith holding the key.

Labuschagne was trying to exploit the vacant midwicket region with the slog-sweep, collecting a six, four and two against the two left-arm spinners. But Jadeja trapped him in front to break the 56-run third-wicket partnership and push Australia on the back foot. Australia could have been in deeper trouble had Shami held on to a sharp caught-and-bowled chance off Smith when the skipper was on 36. India will hope the reprieve doesn't prove costly. After 23 overs, Australia is 113 for three.

Australian skipper Steve Smith is back to his best, grinding down the bowling attack and rotating the strike. Smith and Marnus Labuschagne are not taking any chances, finding gaps and keeping the scoreboard ticking with aggressive running between the wickets. They are likely to shift gears after the 30-over mark, with Glenn Maxwell expected to boost the runs towards the end. The battle of wits is on — the side that blinks first could lose the match. After 20 overs, Australia is 105 for two, crossing the first hurdle of the 100-run mark and are maintaining a healthy run-rate.

Steve Smith feared the middle overs when the Indian spinners operated on a dry surface. His fears are coming true and after Head’s dismissal as the Australian batters are unable to force the pace. An interesting battle brewing between Jadeja and Smith, who was lucky when the bails didn’t dislodge after the ball rolled from the pads off Axar Patel. After 15 overs. Australia are 76 for two, still a healthy score.

India’s trumpcard Varun Chakravarthy dismissed the dangerous Travis Head for 39 in the second ball of his spell, bringing cheers to the numerous Indian fans across the world. Head was beginning to play with ease on a wicket that had plenty of assistance to the spinners but the left-hander skied to long off where Shubman Gill pulled off a running catch. After nine overs, Australia are 58 for two.

Travis Head is finding his rhythm after a cautious start. The Australian opener, living dangerously at times, is making his stay count with a flurry of boundaries. Mohammed Shami's loose offerings outside off stump allowed Head to break free, dispatching the pacer for fours and sixes. Australia have recovered to 31 for one in five overs, with Head on 26 and Steve Smith yet to get off the mark.

Cooper Connolly's difficult stay at the crease ended without a score as the 21-year-old edged Mohammed Shami behind to KL Rahul. The on-field umpire initially turned down the appeal, but Indian skipper Rohit Sharma's referral proved spot on, giving India an early breakthrough. Australian captain Steve Smith walks in next, setting up a potential renewal of his long-standing battle with Ravindra Jadeja, who has dismissed him 11 times in international cricket.

It has been two eventful overs. Travis Head, India’s nemesis, was dropped by Mohammed Shami off his first legal delivery, flooring the leading edge. But still the Indian bowlers have kept the left-hander quiet, bowling to the stump line closer to his body and not giving him any width. The slowness of the wicket is also not allowing the batters to play their shots immediately, where it’s been more of a swing and miss.

Australian skipper Steve Smith won the toss and elected to bat against India on a dry pitch that will assist the spinners in the first semi-finals at Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Indian skipper Rohit Sharma has lost his 14th straight toss in One-Day Internationals. Netherlands skippers have lost 11 times in the spin of the coin.

India have retained the same squad, while Australia have brought in Cooper Connolly in place of injured Matthew Short and leg-spinner Tanveer Sanga replaces pacer Spencer Johnson.

Teams:

India: Rohit Sharma (captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammad Shami, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy.

Australia: Travis Head, Cooper Connolly, Steve Smith (captain), Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis, Alex Carey, Glenn Maxwell, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Tanveer Sangha, Adam Zampa.

Every time India have flirted with glory in the last year, Travis Head has stood in the way. His centuries derailed India’s dreams in two ICC finals, and when he walked out to bat against Afghanistan last week, he looked like a man ready to break more hearts. On Tuesday, he’s coming for India — again.