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CT 2025 Updates: India edge Aus to enter final

Tue, 04 March 2025

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21:53

Win by four wickets; Consecutive finals for India

Ind 267-6 (48.1 ovs) vs Aus 264 | Scorecard

India enter final of Champions Trophy with four-wicket victory over Australia in first semi-final in Dubai on Tuesday.

India's victory means final of Champions Trophy will be played in Dubai.

This is the third Champions Trophy final that India have qualified for.

Virat Kohli top-scored with 84 as India entered the final of the Champions Trophy with a four-wicket win over Australia in Dubai on Tuesday.

Batting first, Australia were bowled out for 264 in 49.3 overs and India chased it down with 11 balls to spare.

Besides Kohli's 98-ball knock, Shreyas Iyer made 45 while KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya chipped in with 42 and 28 respectively in the first semifinal.

Earlier, captain Steve Smith and Alex Carey struck fifties to guide Australia past 260.

Smith top-scored with 73 off 96 balls as he stitched two crucial partnerships, first with Travis Head (39) for the second wicket, which yielded 50 runs, and then with Marnus Labuschagne (29) for the third for another 56 runs.

Carey made 61.

For India, Mohammed Shami (3/38) grabbed three wickets while Varun Chakravarthy and Ravindra Jadeja took two wickets apiece.

Maxwell is back in the attack and Rahul finishes it with a six over long on.

Jadeja is the new man in and he gets a couple thanks to overthrows.

Ellis continues and Rahul starts the over with a single.

Slower one and Pandya swings and misses.

Ellis then bowls a bouncer and wide given for height.

Pandya then lofts the ball over the bowler for a four as the ball comes in. Pandya holds his shape and clears the leg and gets the boundary.

A dot later, Pandya lofts the ball and hits it straight to long on and he is out for 28 off 24.

Zampa is back in the attack and Rahul takes a single to long off.

Short ball on off stump and Pandya only manages to get a single to extra cover.

Rahul then gets a single before full ball and Pandya launches the ball into orbit and it sailed into the stands.

And again. Pandya smashes another six over the bowler's head and now India need 12 off 18. 15 come off the over.

21:22

27 needed off 24 now

Ind 238-5 (46 ovs) vs Aus 264 | Scorecard

Pandya then plays four dots as Ellis gets some reverse swing and he gives just one in the over.

Ellis continues and Rahul starts the over with a dot, before he takes a single to cover to bring up his 3000 ODI runs.

Sangha back in the attack and Pandya plays him for three dots.

And another one as the pressure is beginning to build and next ball Pandya lofts the next ball over the bowler's head for a massive six!

Short ball next and Pandya cuts it to deep backward point for a couple as 8 come off it.

Ellis back in the attack and after a dot, slower ball, pitched up around middle, Pandya defends it towards point before scampering through for the single.

Big shout for caught behind next as Rahul looks to flick it down the leg side, no says the umpire, Australia don't review.

Rahul then takes a single as the full ball is played past the bowler for a single.

A dot later, Pandya flicks the ball to mid-wicket for a single. 3 come off it.

21:11

India need 39 off 42 now

Ind 226-5 (43 ovs) vs Aus 264 | Scorecard

Pandya is the new man in and he starts with a dot.

Pandya is off the mark off the last ball of the over with a single to cover.

9 runs and a wicket come off it.

Zampa back in the attack and Kohli starts the over with a single to the on side.

Rahul then comes down the track and hits it straight over the bowler for a six!

Rahul then takes a single to long on.

Kohli then picks the flighted wrong one only to play it straight down the throat of long on. He is out for 84.

21:04

India have this under control

Ind 217-4 (42 ovs) vs Aus 264 | Scorecard

Dwarshuis continues and Kohli and Rahul are doing it easily with singles and a two off the first three balls in the over.

Kohli then takes a single to third man.

Rahul then comes down the track and he smashes it over mid-wicket for a four!

Rahul then plays the ball down for a dot as 9 come off it.

Leggie Sangha is back in the attack and Rahul and Kohli take a single off the first two balls.

A dot later, an overpitched ball and Rahul slaps it over mid-on for a four.

A dot later, Rahul takes a couple to end the over as 8 come off it.

20:55

Can Australia pull back a few wicket?

Ind 200-4 (40 ovs) vs Aus 264 | Scorecard

Time for drinks now and India need 65 off the last 10 overs.With Kohli and Rahul at the crease India could canter into the final.

Dwarshuis is back in the attack and Kohli knocks it around to the leg side for a dot as he starts around the wicket.

Rahul looks to work the next ball to the leg side, its a dot.

Full and wide and Rahul creams it to extra cover for a single to bring up India's 200.

Kohli then gets a top edge as the ball stops a bit on the batter. No fielder in catching position.

Kohli then plays the ball to the short cover for another dot.

And another dot to end the over as 2 come off it.

Zampa back in the attack and Rahul starts the over with a single.

Kohli then cuts the ball to deep backward point for a couple.

Zampa is bowling full here and it's easy runs for India as Kohli and Rahul take three singles before a dot to end the over as 6 come off it.

Connolly continues, Rahul comes down the track and he plays the ball to cove for a single.

Kohli then knocks it to the leg side for a single.

Rahul then takes a single to the off side before Kohli takes another single to deep point.

A dot later, Rahul takes a single to end the over as 5 come off it.

Ellis continues and Rahul and Kohli keep it easy and take 4 singles in the over.

20:39

Axar out for 27

Ind 183-4 (36 ovs) vs Aus 264 | Scorecard

Connolly is back in the attack as KL Rahul is the new man in.

Kohli starts the over with a single to long off.

Rahul then gets off the mark with a single to sweeper cover.

Kohli and Rahul then take three singles before Rahul plays a dot to end the over as 5 come off it.

Ellis back in the attack and Kohli starts the over with a single.

Axar then drives the ball down to long on for a single.

Kohli then plays the ball to cover for a dot.

Kohli then cuts the ball late towards backward point for a single.

Ellis coming around the wicket bowls one that comes into the batter who plays it to mid-on for a dot.

Ellis then bowls a zinger! Full and in the slot, ball skids on, Axar swings and misses and he is out for 27 off 30.

Maxwell continues and it's easy pickings for India here as Axar and Kohli take four singles before Axar slaps the ball over extra cover and the ball bisects the cover and long-off fielder to end the over with a boundary as 8 come off it.

Head in the attack now and the batters rotate the strike for six singles.

Maxwell continues and the batters take three singles in the over.

20:22

No venom in Aus bowling attack

Ind 158-3 (31 ovs) vs Aus 264 | Scorecard

Sangha back in the attack and after a dot, Axar cuts it for a couple to deep backward point.

Two dots later, flighted ball, Axar plays it with the turn and slog sweeps the ball for a six over deep square leg.

A dot to end the over as 8 come off it.

Maxwell continues, and Kohli and Axar rotate the strike to take five runs in the over as the 150 comes up.

Zampa continues, poor bowling and the short ball is pulled to deep mid-wicket for a four!

Kohli and Axar then take a single each. Three dots to end the over as 6 come off it.

20:14

Breaks 91-run stand

Ind 141-3 (28 ovs) vs Aus 264 | Scorecard

Maxwell continues and Kohli and Axar keep the runs ticking and take 5 runs in the over.

Axar is the new man in and after three dots, he pulls the short ball for a couple to deep mid-wicket. A wicket and 2 come off it.

Zampa continues and after a dot, Zampa bowls quick and flat, Iyer tries to cut but misses and is bowled out 45. Zampa breaks the 91-run stand.

Connolly continues and three runs come in the over as Kohli is dropped by Maxwell off the last ball of the over.

Zampa continues and Iyer starts the over with a single.

Kohli then takes a couple to deep extra cover.

Kohli then takes a single before Iyer takes a single.

Kohli then gets to his 74th ODI 50 with a pull through square leg.

A dot to end the over as 9 come off it.

Connolly back in the attack and after a dot, Iyer starts the over with a single.

Kohli then cuts it to deep backward point for couple.

Kohli and Iyer then take a single each before a dot as 5 come off the over.

Maxwell continues and India continue to cream the runs as 7 come off the over.

Sangha continues and he gives four singles in the over.

Maxwell in the attack now and he gives just three singles in his first over.

19:47

India keep runs flowing

Ind 103-2 (20 ovs) vs Aus 264 | Scorecard

Sangha continues and Kohli and Iyer are just ticking away here nicely as three singles come off the first three balls.

Kohli then sweeps the loose ball fine to the leg side for a four. 100 comes up for India.

Kohli then punches the ball to deep mid-wicket for a couple.

Kohli then opens the face of the bat and guides it down to third man for a single. 10 come off the over.

Time for drinks now and India are milking the runs as Kohli and Iyer keep the scorecard ticking and put on a 50-run stand.

Dwarshuis is back in the attack, he comes around the wicket and floats it up full, on off and right at the batter, Shreyas Iyer just blocks it off.

Overthrows next as Iyer takes a single but Labuschagne fires the ball in from point, broke the stump but the batters steal another run.

Iyer and Kohli then take three runs from the next four balls as 5 come off it.

Leggie Sangha comes into the attack now and he starts well with a dot.

Iyer then drives the ball past the bowler for a single.

Kohli then cuts the ball for a single past point.

Iyer is then squared up a little.

A dot again before a single to long on to end the over as 3 come off it.

Zampa continues and Iyer starts the over with a single to covers.

A dot later, a full ball is smacked past the non-striker for a single.

Iyer then cuts the ball for a dot as Labuschagne puts in the dive to cut the runs at point.

A dot later, Iyer takes a single past backward point as 3 singles come in the over.

Ellis is back in the attack and Iyer plays the first ball past point for a single.

A dot later, Kohli takes a single to square leg.

Iyer then plays a dot before clipping the ball off his pads to square leg for a single.

Short ball and Kohli pulls it hard to deep square leg for a four as 7 come off it.

Zampa continues and he gives 4 in the over before Kohli is nearly beaten by the googly and is hit on the pads. Big shout, not given as the ball was turning down the leg side.

19:24

Risk-free batting from both

Ind 71-2 (14 ovs) vs Aus 264 | Scorecard

Connolly continues and after a dot, Kohli cuts the ball to covers and scampers for a single.

Iyer then cuts the ball as he opens the face and plays it towards third man for a four.

He then drives the ball down to long off for a single.

Kohli then knocks the ball to the leg side for a single.

A dot to end the over as 7 come off it.

Zampa continues and he starts with one floated, outside off, 91.6 kph, Virat Kohli drives it towards cover.

Tossed up again, fuller outside off, Kohli drives it through the covers for a single.

Iyer eases this through the covers for a single before Kohli takes a single to long off.

Two dots to end the over as 3 come off it.

Connolly continues and after a dot, Kohli and Iyer work him for a couple of singles.

A dot later, Kohli drives the ball down the ground for a single.

A dot to end the over as 3 come off it.

Leggie Zampa in the attack now and Kohli starts the over with a single to wide long off.

A dot later, Iyer gets a couple past point.

Three dots to end the over as 3 come off it.

19:13

India lose 2 wickets but have a good run-rate

Ind 55-2 (10 ovs) vs Aus 264 | Scorecard

Connolly continues, comes around the wicket to Iyer who starts with two dots.

Iyer then slashes at the ball and it flies over slips for a four.

A dot later, the full toss is swept to backward square leg for a four.

A dot to end the over as 8 come off it.

Ellis back in the attack and now he is bowling from the other end.

After two dots, Kohli plays and misses. On a good length, outside off, Kohli feels for it but the ball nips away a fraction, bounces extra and beats the outside edge.

Two dots later, outside the off stump, a half volley is hit down the ground for a four as 4 come off the over.

19:09

Rohit out LBW for 28

Ind 43-2 (8 ovs) vs Aus 264 | Scorecard

Iyer is the new man in and he plays a dot as just a run and a wicket comes off it.

Spin introduced with left arm spinner Connolly in the attack.

After a dot, Kohli takes a single to mid-wicket.

Two dots later, Connolly bowls a full ball, hits Rohit in the pads as he attempts to sweeps and the umpire raises the finger on the appeal.

Rohit takes the review and ball tracking shows pitching in line, impact in line and hitting wickets and Rohit is out for 28 off 29.

Dwarshuis continues and Kohli and Rohit take three singles in the over.

Kohli is the new man in.

Ellis continues and after a dot, he bowls a wide.

Rohit and Kohli then take four singles before Rohit slaps one straight past the umpire who ducks and falls as the ball races to the boundary as 9 come off it.

18:52

Gill chops on, out for 8

Ind 30-1 (5 ovs) vs Aus 264 | Scorecard

Dwashuis continues and he starts with a wide.

Gill comes down the pitch and he swipes it fast through mid-wicket for a four!

Gill then tips and runs the ball to point for a single.

Dwarshuis then bowls a yorker.

Rohit then gets an inside edge as he attempts a sweep, the ball goes past the keeper for a boundary.

Rohit then gets a single to the leg side.

Gill then chops on and Australia have their first wicket. Gill wants to steer down to third man only to inside edge it onto his stumps and he is out for 8. India lose the first wicket. 11 runs and a wicket come in the over.

Ellis continues and comes steaming in as Rohit plays three dots.

He bowls a jaffa next ball as Rohit is beaten. Short ball, just outside off stump, nips away and Rohit is beaten.

Rohit and Gill then take a single each as 2 come off the over.

Dwarshuis continues and Gill nearly chops on the first ball.

Three dots later, Gill swipes the ball to deep square leg for a single.

Rohit then miscues the next ball and he is put down by Labuschagne at mid-off who runs back but can't hold on. Rohit gets a single as 2 come off the over.

18:40

India chase 265 for spot in final

Ind 15-0 (2 ovs) vs Aus 264 | Scorecard

Nathan Ellis opens at the other end and he starts with one that moves a little away.

Short ball next and Rohit dispatches it over long on for a six!

Rohit is put down next ball by Connolly at point! Early reprieve for Rohit.

Good length on the pads and Rohit then clips the ball to square leg for a single.

Gill is off the mark next ball with a push to extra cover.

A dot to end the over as 8 come off it.

Rohit and Gill come out to chase 265 for victory as Dwarshuis opens the attack and he gets one to shape in to Rohit for a dot.

Dwarshuis then gets the next one to drift on to the pads and Rohit tickles it down to fine leg for a four!

A dot later, Rohit clips it over the infield for 3. Gill blocks the last ball of the over as 7 come off the opening over.

18:13

Shami gets three wickets

Aus 264 (49.3 ovs) vs Ind | Scorecard

Captain Steve Smith and Alex Carey struck fifties to guide Australia to 264 all out in the Champions Trophy semi-final in Dubai on Tuesday.

After the departure of Smith in the 37th over, Carey (61) took charge to take Australia past 260.

For India, Mohammed Shami (3/38) grabbed three wickets while Varun Chakravarthy and Ravindra Jadeja took two wickets apiece. Hardik Pandya and Axar Patel got one each.

The Indian players took the field wearing black armbands in honour of domestic cricket legend Padmakar Shivalkar, who died in Mumbai on Monday due to age-related illness. He was 84.

Sanga is the last man in.

Pandya comes on to bowl the final over and Zampa starts the over with a single.

Sanga is off the mark with as he guides the ball to third man for a single.

Zampa swings and misses and Pandya gets him with slower ball on the off stump and Australia are all out for 264.

Shami continues and Ellis and Zampa take a single each off the first two balls as Shami mixes his line and lengths.

Ellis then chips the ball to long on.

Zampa then flicks the yorker to mid-wicket for a single.

Ellis then picks up the slower ball and hammers it over deep mid-wicket for a six!

The ball is in the slot again, swings again and this time Ellis is caught at long on. He is out for 10 off 7 as a wicket and 10 runs come off it.

Nathan Ellis is the new man in and Zampa takes a single to the off side.

A dot later, Zampa takes a single to mid-wicket.

A dot later, Ellis takes a single to end the over as 4 come off it.

Pandya back in the attack and Carey pulls it to short fine and takes a single, comes back for a couple but Iyer gets in the direct hit and Carey is run out for 61 off 57.

Shami continues and after a dot, Zampa takes a single to wide mid-off.

Carey then moves across and paddle scoops the ball over short fine leg for a four.

Yoker next, Carey plays the ball into the pitch and has seemed to have pulled a muscle.

Carey then takes a single to extra cover.

Zampa is then hit thud on the pads and big shout, umpire raises the finger and Australia take the review. The decision is reversed as replays shows there was an inside edge to the pads. 6 come off the over.

17:41

Dwarshuis is out for 19

Aus 242-7 (46 ovs) vs Ind | Scorecard

Zampa is the new man in and he knocks the ball around for a single.

Carey then plays the ball to extra cover for a quick single.

A dot later, Zampa takes a single to mid-wicket to end the over as a wicket and 3 runs come off it.

Chakravarthy continues and he comes around the wicket and he starts with a googly as Dwarshuis is beaten.

Chakravarthy bowls another googly, Dwarshuis goes for the slog sweep only to hit it straight to Shreyas Iyer at deep square leg and he is out for 19.

Shami continues and after a dot, Dwarshuis and Carey take 5 singles in the over.

17:34

Australia batting sensibly

Aus 234-6 (44 ovs) vs Ind | Scorecard

Australia will rely on Carey and Dwarshuis to take them to at least 275 to give them something to defend.

Chakravarthy continues and Dwarshuis plays the ball to third man as it races to the boundary for a four!

A dot later, Dwarshuis plays it to backward point for a dot.

And another dot later, Dwarshuis sweeps the ball to deep fine leg for a single.

Carey then ends the over with a couple as 7 come off it.

Kuldeep continues and Carey plays the ball to mid-wicket for a quick couple.

Carey then plays the ball to short third man for a single to get to his half-century off 48 balls.

Dwarshuis then picks the googly and slog sweeps it over deep mid-wicket for a six!

A dot later Dwarshuis takes a single to long on.

A dot to end the over as 10 come off it.

Chakravarthy back in the attack and he is operating from around the wicket and Carey starts with a dot.

Carey then plays the full ball on the pads to the leg side for a single.

Chakravarthy then has the batter beaten on the turn.

Dwarshuis then gets a single to the off side.

A dot later, Carey takes a single to long on to end the over as 3 come off it.

Kuldeep back in the attack and after a dot, Carey takes a single to mid-on.

Dwarshuis then plays four dots and manages to see off a wrong un. Just one comes off the over.

17:17

Carey will need to step up in Powerplay

Aus 213-6 (40 ovs) vs Ind | Scorecard

Axar continues and Dwarshuis takes a single off the first ball of the over.

A dot later, the ball is floated around legg, Carey reverse sweeps the ball past point for a four!

He then sneaks a single to mid-on.

Two dots to end the over as 6 runs come off it.

Shami continues and after four dots, the next ball is going down leg, Dwarshuis gets a bat pad to backward square leg for a single.

A dot to end the over as just a single comes off it.

17:10

Shami removes Smith

Aus 206-6 (38 ovs) vs Ind | Scorecard

Ben Dwarshuis is the new man in and he is off the mark with a single.

Two dots to end the over as a wicket and 7 runs come off it.

Axar back in the attack and after a dot, Maxwell slog sweeps the full ball on the leg side for a six past deep square leg.

Short ball and in the middle and Maxwell goes on the backfoot, looks to play it on the leg side, misses it and is bowled out for 7!

Maxwell is the new man in and after a dot, he is off the mark with a single.

A wicket and 4 runs come off it.

Shami continues and after a dot, Carey starts the over with a single.

Smith then gets a couple to deep mid-wicket.

Shami then bowls it full, Smith eyes the extra cover boundary, comes down the track and misses. He is bowled out for 73 off 96.

Pandya back in the attack after drinks and Carey welcomes him with a four as he pulls the short ball over mid-wicket for a four!

Three dots later, Carey comes down the track and punches it to long-off for a four!

A single to end the over as 9 come off it. 50-run stand brought up between Carey and Smith.

Shami is back in the attack and Smith swings and misses first ball. Short ball, Smith shimmies down the track and tries to smash it downtown with a flat bat, but misses.

Smith then pulls the short ball just over a leaping Rohit over mid-wicket for a couple.

Two dots later, Smith and Carey take a single each as 4 come off it.

16:48

Smith-Carey keep runs flowing

Aus 182-4 (34 ovs) vs Ind | Scorecard

Kuldeep continues and Carey starts the over with a slog sweep over mid-wicket for a four!

A dot later, Kuldeep bowls a wide on the off side.

Carey then plays three dots before he goes inside out and just chips the ball over the infield on the off side as he gets a four over extra cover as 9 come off it.

Chakravarthy continues and the first ball spins back and Smith is beaten on the inside edge.

Smith then takes a single to deep mid-wicket.

Carey then plays a dot before he slog sweeps it over deep mid-wicket for a six!

Carey then takes a single to the deep.

A dot to end the over as 8 come off it.

Kuldeep continues and Smith scoops the ball over fine leg for a single.

Carey then takes a single to deep point.

Smith then comes down the track and works it to the leg side for a dot.

Smith then chips the ball over the bowler for a couple.

Smith then takes a single before Carey ends the over with a dot as 5 runs come off it.

Chakravarthy is back in the attack and Carey starts the over with a single.

Smith then plays two dots before he swipes the ball to short fine leg for a single.

Chakravarthy comes around the wicket to Carey who plays a dot.

Carey then employs the sweep but finds the fielder at short fine leg. 2 come off the over.

Kuldeep continues and after a dot, Smith takes a single to long on.

A dot later, Carey sweeps the ball going down the leg side for a four to fine leg.

A dot later, Carey takes a single to backward square leg as 6 come off the over.

Jadeja continues and after a dot, Carey takes a single to long on.

Smith then takes a single to long on. A dot later, on a length and around off, turning in, Alex Carey backs away and looks to loft it away but gets more of a top edge on it. The ball though sails well over mid off, hits the turf and rolls away into the fence.

A dot to end the over as 6 come off it.

16:27

Inglis out for 11

Aus 146-4 (28 ovs) vs Ind | Scorecard

Carey is the new man in.

Kuldeep is back in the attack and Smith starts the over with a single to the leg side.

A dot later, Carey is off the mark with a single to long-off.

Kuldeep is testing Smith here as he plays out three dots and is beaten off the last ball of the over. 2 runs come off the over.

Jadeja continues and Smith and Inglis take a single each.

Smith then check drives the ball over long off for a six!

Smith then takes a single.

Inglis then gets a couple wide of mid-wicket.

Inglis then just chips the ball straight to cover as the ball stops on him and he is out for 11. The partnership of 34 is broken.

Chakravarthy continues and Inglis starts the over with a single.

A dot later, short ball around middle and off, Steve Smith rocks back and pulls it through mid-wicket. Not off the middle but has enough to beat deep mid-wicket to his left. Moves to 48 with his fourth boundary.

A dot later, Smith takes a couple to extra cover to bring up his 50.

A single to end the over as 8 come off it.

Jadeja continues and the batters rotate the strike for five singles.

16:14

Labuschagne out trapped leg before

Aus 120-3 (24 ovs) vs Ind | Scorecard

Chakravarthy is back in the attack and Inglis is beaten first ball, Inglis leans across to drive to the off side, but the ball turns back in a touch and beats the inside edge.

Inglis then takes a quick single to mid-on.

A dot later, Smith and Inglis take a single each before Smith ends the over with a four through covers as 7 come off it.

Inglis is the new man in and he starts with a drive to long on.

Smith then plays the ball to extra cover for a single.

Inglis takes a single to deep backward point for a single as 7 runs come off it.

Jadeja continues and Labuschagne slog sweeps the full ball over deep mid-wicket for a four.

Jadeja then has Labuschagne trapped on the stumps as it skids through to hit the batter on the pads who goes on the backfoot to flick. He is out for 29 off 36 and the partnership is broken!

Shami back in the attack and he starts with one that moves just a little to have Labuschagne beaten on the cut.

Labuschagne then plays the ball to deep point for a single.

Smith comes down the pitch, but mishits the ball for a dot.

Smith comes down again and Shami fails to hold on to the ball on his follow through. Smith gets a life.

Smith then shimmies across the stumps and goes for the scoop, doesn't connect. Keeper appeals. No says the umpire, India don't review.

Slower ball next and Smith tries to ramp but misses. Just one comes off it.

Jadeja continues and he bowls a maiden as Smith is beaten off the fourth ball of the over. Some turn, on a fullish length, bowled a bit slower too on off. Steve Smith is flummoxed and gets beaten past the outside edge.

15:58

50-run partnership up

Aus 105-2 (20 ovs) vs Ind | Scorecard

Axar continues and Smith starts with a dot.

He then cuts the ball past backward point for a single.

Labuschagne then gets a top edge as he goes for the slog sweep and he gets a couple as the ball lands safely.

A dot later, Labuschagne brings up Australia's 100 with a 6 off a slog sweep over deep square leg.

A dot to end the over as 9 come off it.

The umpire seems to be having an issue with Jadeja's taping on his bowling hand. The taping has been removed and Jadeja continues.

After a dot, Smith flicks the ball to deep mid-wicket for a couple.

Smith then flicks again to deep square leg.

A dot later, Smith misses out on the flick. A single to long off to end the over as 5 come off it.

Axar continues and Smith and Labuschagne take two singles off the first two balls.

A dot later, Smith goes to the leg side and punches the ball to covers for a single.

Labuschagne then cuts the ball late as it turns late and plays it to the third man for a boundary.

A dot to end the over as 7 come off it.

Jadeja continues and Labuschagne starts with a shot to point for a dot. He then plays two dots.

Labuschagne plays another dot before flicking the ball to the leg side for a single.

Smith then clips the ball to the leg side for another single.

Axar continues and Smith plays the ball sliding onto the pads for a single to square leg.

Shorter ball but same line and Labuschagne takes a single to square leg.

Smith then drives the next ball to long-off.

Tossed up ball, Labuschagne defends the ball down to mid-off, Axar goes to field it, but his feet get stuck in the ground and slips and hits his head as he goes to throw the ball. he has injured his neck. He gets some treatment. Drinks called and Axar is ok to continue.

Axar then comes around the wicket and Smith and Labuschagne take two singles to end the over as 6 singles come in the over.

Jadeja in the attack now and after two dots, Labuschagne glances the good length ball on the pads for a couple to deep backward square leg.

A dot later, Labuschage gets a single as the inside edge misses the stumps.

A single to long on to end the over as 4 come off it.

15:36

26 balls since last boundary

Aus 72-2 (14 ovs) vs Ind | Scorecard

Axar continues and Smith plays three dots as the bowler keeps it tight.

Another dot ball. Smith then plays the ball to short fine, a fumble allows Smith the get back to the crease on time.

Next ball the ball hits Smith's stumps hard but the bails don't fall off. That is an eventful maiden that.

Chakravarthy continues and Labuschagne comes down and plays it down to deep cover for a single.

Smith then mistimes the flick, it's a dot.

Smith then plays the ball to long on for a single.

A dot later, Labuschange plays another dot to the leg side as just 3 come off the over.

Axar continues and again Smith and Labuschagne takes just three singles in the over. It's 16 balls since the last boundary now.

Chakravarthy continues and he gives three singles in the over.

15:23

Head out for 39

Aus 63-2 (10 ovs) vs Ind | Scorecard

Axar is the new man in and after a dot, Smith lofts the ball over the infield on the leg side for a four!

Two dots later, Smith plays another dot. Smith ends the over with a single to long off as 5 runs come off it.

Labuschagne is the new man in and after a dot, he gets off the mark with a single.

Smith then takes a couple to square leg.

Smith ends the over with a single to long-off as a wicket and 5 runs come off it.

Chakravarthy is in the attack now and Smith starts the over with a single to long-off.

Chakravarthy gets the breakthrough! Tossed up full ball, Head goes for the lofted shot, miscues and Shubman runs back and completes the catch as Head is out for 39 off 33.

15:15

Head-Smith steady the ship

Aus 53-1 (8 ovs) vs Ind | Scorecard

Kuldeep continues and he starts with a short ball, around middle and off, Head misses out on the cut. After that dot, Head comes down the track and lofts the ball over the bowler for a six!

Two dots later. an appeal for LBW as Head misses the backfoot pull, India don't take the review.

A dot to end the over as 6 come off it.

Pandya back in the attack and Smith plays the ball down to point for a dot.

Smith then pulls the short ball over square leg for a four.

Full ball and into the batter and Smith plays it to mid-on and takes a single. Wasn't a well-timed shot that.

Short ball again and Head just pulls it through mid-wicket for a four!

Head then cuts the ball into the ground to the keeper as he gets the under edge of the bat. Missed out on that one, has Head.

Slow ball next, Head goes for the upper cut, wide called for height.

Head then pulls the ball down to short fine leg for a single as 11 come off it.

15:04

Shami smashed for three fours in the over

Aus 36-1 (6 ovs) vs Ind | Scorecard

Kuldeep in the attack now and Smith starts the over with a single.

A dot later, Head and Smith take a single each as they play him watchfully.

Head then comes down the track and clips the ball to mid-wicket for a single.

Smith then plays the ball to long on for a single as 6 come off the over.

Shami continues and Head plays the ball for a dot t

Head then pulls the ball past mid-wicket for a couple.

Widish ball and Head just slaps it past covers for a four!

Head then gets the inside edge and the ball just runs past the off stump to the fine leg boundary for a four.

Head then stays leg side, and whack the fullish ball through backward for a four.

Shami comes over the wicket and Head plays the ball down for a dot.

14 come off the over.

Smith is the new man in.

Pandya continues and he starts with a bouncer, wide signalled by the umpire.

Short ball next and Head again mistimes the cut short.

A dot later, Pandya bowls a wide down the leg side as Head misses the swivel pull.

Head then slaps the ball hard past mid-off for a four!

Head then flicks the full ball on the pads and over the deep square leg fielder for a six!

Head then plays the ball to backward point and scampers for a tight single. Jadeja misses the direct hit, Head was gone had that hit the stumps.

Smith plays a dot to end the over as 13 come off the over.

14:48

Connolly's struggles ends with a duck

Aus 4-1 (3 ovs) vs Ind | Scorecard

Shami continues and he comes around the wicket to Connolly who stays on the pitch and goes for the drive and plays and misses.

Beaten again! Shami bowls a full ball again that goes back into the batter and the batter plays and misses.

Shami bowls a wide ball next.

Shami bowls another beauty as the full ball comes into the batter and straightens at the last moment to have the batter beaten again!

Connolly is again beaten as the ball moves away with his feet firmly planted to the crease.

And again! Connolly is looking to play square and is beaten again.

And this time Connolly seems to have got the edge and Rahul takes a catch.

Not out says the umpire. India review and the ultra shows there was a spike and India strike early. Connolly out for a duck! Australia lose first wicket.

Pandya opens at the other end and he starts with a wide down the leg side.

Head then tries to flick and the thickish leading-edge lobs short of Axar.

Head then tries to pull the next ball but mishits, dot ball.

Another mistimed hit as Head tries to pull the short ball but it goes to the keeper as he is beaten on the inside edge.

Head then plays another dot as he plays it to point.

Head then tries to cut and again mistimes. Just a single comes off the over from a wide.

Travis Head and Cooper Connolly come out to open the batting for Australia while Mohammed Shami will open the attack for India.

And Shami starts with a wide from around the wicket.

Head then gets a leading edge as he looks to go on the onside and he plays the ball too early. The ball lobs up and inches away from Shami's grab who can't hold on.

A dot later, Head drives the ball to wide off mid-off and takes off for a single to get off the mark.

Connolly then plays the ball down for a dot.

Connolly then pushes the ball to mid-on as it is an incoming ball.

Connolly then swings and misses as Shami bowls a length ball just outside off. Dot to end the over as 2 come off it.

14:09

India will look to break knockout jinx

Australian captain Steve Smith has won the toss and elected to bat against India in the first semi-final of the Champions Trophy in Dubai on Tuesday.

India go into the match unchanged with four spinners.

Australia make two changes with Cooper Connolly coming in for Matt Short, Sangha comes in for Johnson.

The pitch is again a batting surface and spinners will prove a challenge for Australian batters.

Playing XIs:

India: Rohit Sharma(c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, KL Rahul(w), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy

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

History weighs heavily against them but India would rely on a potent spin battery and familiarity with the conditions to break the knockout jinx against an undermanned Australia when the two formidable cricket forces clash in the Champions Trophy semi-final in Dubai on Tuesday.

It will not be a straightforward task, though, as the Aussies are a resilient beast in global tournaments even without their lead cast of Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc.

Their stunning chase of 352 against England at Lahore a few days back validates the thought.

The last time India triumphed against Australia in the knockout stage of an ICC event was way back in 2011 World Cup quarterfinal.

India lost to Australia in the semi-final of the 2015 ODI World Cup and in the title clash of the 2023 ODI World Cup before succumbing to them in the World Test Championship final in 2023.

This Indian side will realistically hope to rewrite that largely melancholic script over the last 14 years and the primary reason for that optimism is the presence of some top of the line spinners in their ranks.

The easiest explanation of their dominance is the knowledge of the conditions having had the luxury of playing all their matches in Dubai. But that is only partially true. They have made an effort to tweak their craft as per the needs of the surfaces here.

Since there was no fast or spitting turn on offer here like in a dustbowl, the Indian spinners were made to play the waiting game.

Patience rather than magic is the key in bowling on these decks, as revealed by Varun Chakravarthy.

"The pitch here is not a rank turner as such, which people were projecting it to be, But definitely it was holding on a bit, and it was deviating a little bit to create the doubt. So basically, you had to play around it," said Chakravarthy.

The Indian spin quartet of Chakravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel walked away with nine New Zealand wickets, but they applied the pressure consistently to earn their rewards.

They delivered 128 dot balls in the 39 overs bowled between them as the Kiwis struggled to break free, a sequence eventuating in a flurry of wickets.

Even the dismissal of an otherwise stoic Kane Williamson had a touch of desperation as his shimmy against Axar ended in a stumping by KL Rahul.

On the other hand, Australia have only one genuine spinner in Adam Zampa, while hoping for part-timers Glenn Maxwell and Travis Head to deliver the goods.

Matthew Short has been ruled out of the tournament with a calf injury and it has also robbed the already creaking Australian bowling unit of a handy spin option.

The absence of premier names was felt in the previous matches as the Aussie bowlers conceded 352 and 273 against England and Afghanistan respectively, albeit in better batting conditions.

Hence, the likes of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Shreyas Iyer and Shubman Gill will be eager to go full throttle at them here.

They have found the perfect rhythm of batting on these sluggish tracks here.

Skipper Rohit hoped as much.

"It is going to be a good game. Australia has a rich history of playing well in ICC tournaments. Now, it's about us to do things right. We have to be focussed on what we need to do on that day. Looking forward to that, hopefully we can stitch one towards us," he said after the match against New Zealand.

But he will not be unaware of the batting might the Aussies possess as the latter hunted down a 350-plus target without any meaningful contribution from Head and captain Steve Smith.

India will certainly want to evict them at the earliest, particularly Head as he has been the team's nemesis in recent years.

It is also a chance for Rohit and his company to mitigate the still lingering pain of losing to Australia in the 2023 World Cup final in Ahmedabad.

This match could be slow-burner but brace for a cracker nonetheless.

CT 2025 Updates: India edge Aus to enter final

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