Virat Kohli, IND Vs AUS:
The stage was set for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 first semi-final clash between India and Australia at Dubai International Stadium on Tuesday. Skipper Steve Smith led Australia to win the toss and opted to bat first, setting a competitive target of 265 runs. The Indian team, however, rose to the occasion, securing their spot in the finals with a 4-wicket triumph.
The true star of the match was Virat Kohli, who masterfully steered the team through a challenging phase by scoring an impressive 84 runs. Kohli's performance came at a crucial juncture, as the team had lost two wickets for just 43 runs. His post-match comments shed light on his strategic mind.
What did Kohli say after winning the match?
Kohli expressed his intent to guide the team strategically. He emphasized that he was unconcerned even if the run rate climbed beyond 6, given the batting firepower that followed. He approached the batting with absolute composure.
Kohli remarked, 'I maintained my cool during the chase. Singles were my focus. How you manage pressure is pivotal. Taking the match deep and staying controlled is crucial. Even with the run rate beyond 6, I remained unperturbed, aware of our strategy and the batsmen lined up after me.'
Australia won the toss under Captain Steve Smith's leadership, choosing to bat first and setting a target of 265 runs. Team India achieved a thrilling victory in just 48.1 overs by 4 wickets, with Virat Kohli scoring the most with 84 runs from 98 balls, punctuated by five boundaries.
The Playing XI of India and Australia:
Indian Team:
Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wicketkeeper), Axar Patel, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy, and Mohammad Shami.
Australian Team:
Cooper Connolly, Travis Head, Steve Smith (Captain), Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis (wicketkeeper), Alex Carey, Glenn Maxwell, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, and Tanveer Sangha.
