Hugs, bhangra, drums, pats on the back: How India celebrated Champions Trophy semi-final win against Australia

Virat Kohli anchored India’s innings with 84 runs off 98 balls, leading the team to a four-wicket victory over Australia on Tuesday, securing a spot in the Champions Trophy final.

Kohli’s 74th ODI half-century contributed to India’s successful chase, reaching 267/6 in response to Australia’s total of 264 all out in the first semi-final.

Pacer Mohammed Shami was the standout in India’s bowling attack, claiming 3 wickets for 48 runs in his 10 overs on a sluggish pitch.

For Australia, Steve Smith was the top performer, scoring 73 runs off 96 balls. Indian spinners Varun Chakravarthy and Ravindra Jadeja each took two wickets, further limiting the Australian score.

Shreyas Iyer played a crucial role in the chase, contributing with 91 runs off 111 balls for the third wicket partnership alongside Kohli.

KL Rahul sealed the victory with an unbeaten 42 runs off 34 balls, marking India’s highest successful chase against Australia in an ICC event.

With this win, India have secured a place in the final, which will take place in Dubai, where they will face either South Africa or New Zealand, who are set to compete on Wednesday in Lahore.

Later, there were celebrations all around in the Indian dressing room, on the ground and even as the team returned to the hotel. Just as KL Rahul struck the winning runs, the Indian dressing room erupted to celebrate what many believe to be revenge for the 2023 ODI World Cup loss.

At the team hotel, the staff welcomed the players back with music and applause. Arshdeep Singh, who has not been used so far in the tournament, danced and played the drums in celebration.

After winning the toss and choosing to bat, Australia faced an early setback as Shami dismissed opener Cooper Connolly for a nine-ball duck.

Steve Smith steadied the innings with a measured half-century, forming a 50-run partnership off 32 balls with Travis Head, who, despite a slow start, managed to score 39 runs off 33 balls, hitting five fours and two sixes before being caught by Shubman Gill in the deep, off Chakravarthy’s bowling.

Marnus Labuschagne contributed 29 runs, adding another 56 with Smith for the third wicket, but India’s spinners took control during the middle overs after Rohit Sharma shuffled his bowlers. Jadeja trapped Labuschagne lbw in the 23rd over, and four overs later, Josh Inglis was caught out.

This brought Carey to the crease, where he and Smith added 54 runs off 58 balls before Shami struck again, bowling Smith for a crucial wicket in the 37th over. The situation worsened for Australia as Axar Patel bowled Glenn Maxwell for just 7 runs in the following over.

At 205-6, Carey stepped up, scoring eight fours and a six to guide Australia through the third powerplay, reaching 50 runs off 48 balls. After Carey was run out, Australia managed to cross the 250-run mark in the 48th over. Ben Dwarshuis contributed 19 runs, including a four and a six, but the total still fell short by about 20-30 runs.

Chasing a target of 265, Rohit started strong with three fours and a six, scoring 28 runs off 29 balls, but Shubman Gill was bowled out for just eight. Connolly then trapped Sharma lbw in the eighth over, bringing Kohli and Iyer together, a partnership that proved crucial.

Kohli hit five fours and reached his half-century off 53 balls, ensuring the required run rate remained manageable as India took control of the chase. Zampa missed a return catch off Kohli but redeemed himself by bowling Iyer. However, India did not falter; Axar Patel scored a steady 27 runs off 30 balls.

Source : https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/icc-champions-trophy-2025/hugs-bhangra-drums-pats-on-the-back-how-india-celebrated-champions-trophy-semi-final-win-against-australia/articleshow/118726176.cms 

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