India came out on top of the clash featuring the two best cricketing nations in the world.
India knocked Australia off the perch as the cricket-mad nation finally got its revenge for the 2023 World Cup heartbreak, motoring into the Champions Trophy final before a sold-out partisan crowd in Dubai.
Once again it was that man, Virat Kohli, who rose to the occasion — as he has done so many times.
In fact, there were calls for the superstar to be dropped after his bat went into hibernation against Australia on the recent tour Down Under, but the selectors stood by his side and it paid dividends.
Earlier in this tournament, Kohli made a century against Pakistan and, in Dubai, he made an impressive 84 to lead India to 267 for six in the four-wicket triumph over the Aussies with 11 balls to spare.
Australia posted 264 in 49.3 overs with skipper Steve Smith leading the way with 73 and wicket-keeper Alex Carey slamming 61. Smith’s total came off 96 balls and he starred in solid partnerships with Travis Head (39) and Marnus Labuschagne (29) before Carey flogged the Indians.
Australia wasn’t expected to reach the semis as it came into this tournament without top pace bowlers Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc. But fast bowler Nathan Ellis worked wonders with two for 49 and spinner Adam Zampa took two for 60.
But the Aussies can never be counted out and they made India sweat before Kohli’s typically composed 84. He received superb backing from KL Rahul (42 not out), Shreyas Iyer (45) and Hardik Pandya (27), who all made significant impacts.
For India, Mohammad Shami showed once again how he was missed during his year on the sidelines with an ankle injury. He grabbed three crucial wickets while Varun Chakravarthy and Ravindra Jadeja claimed two each.
Skipper Rohit Sharma, who will be chasing his second ICC trophy the World Twenty20 Cup, said he sat on tenterhooks as “until the last ball was bowled, nothing is certain.”
And Smith added: “I thought the bowlers did a really good job. Our spinners squeezed and enabled us to take the game deep.”
PROTEAS FAVOURED
South Africa will start as favourites to defeat New Zealand in the other semifinal that promises to be a run-fest.
New Zealand lost its last group encounter vs. India after being bamboozled by the Indian spinners in an encounter it looked like it could have won.
South Africa, on the other hand, posted emphatic victories over England and Afghanistan, then shared the spoils with Australia following a washout.
The Kiwis easily defeated Pakistan and Bangladesh before that 44-run loss to India, where it was bundled out for 205 in its chase of India’s 249 for nine.
The Proteas-Kiwis clash could well be the best match of the tournament as South Africa has an exceptionally well-balanced bowling attack, while New Zealand too has a solid pace attack led by Matt Henry, who took five against India.
The Proteas unleash a four-man fast-ball attack of Marco Jansen, Lungi Ngidi, Wian Mulder and Kagiso Rabada, with Keshav Maharaj providing the spin.
New Zealand also has a vaunted pace attack led by Henry, plus the towering 6-foot-8 Kyle Jamieson and 6-foot-6 Will O’Rourke. Skipper Matt Santner and Rachin Ravindra are two high-rated spinners who have managed to stifle the opposing batsmen and also strike telling blows.
One other advantage in New Zealand’s favour will be its extraordinary fielding. Against India, Glenn Phillips’ flying one-handed catch dismissed Virat Kohli for 11 and Kane Williamson also had a one-handed airborne grab to send Ravindra Jadeja packing for 16.
Apart from Williamson, the Kiwis have a packed lineup of top scorers in Ravindra, Phillips, Will Young and Tom Latham. Young and Latham both notched centuries versus Pakistan and Ravindra carved out 112 against Bangladesh.
South Africa also has some exciting batsmen in opener Ryan Rickelton, Temba Bavuma, Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram and Heinrich Klaasen, who have enjoyed a successful tournament. Rickleton plundered a century versus Afghanistan and has been in tremendous form this season.
The bookmakers have installed South Africa the favourite to advance, but New Zealand is one country that cannot be underestimated in ICC-run tournaments.
South Africa, on the other hand, is known to choke when the pressure is on. This is South Africa’s big opportunity to finally erase that tag.
Leading the charge will be 24-year-old fast bowler Jansen, who destroyed England’s top order with a haul of three for 30. He then got great support from Rassie van der Dussen making an unbeaten 72 and Heinrich Klaasen 64.
That hammering by South Africa and a defeat by Afghanistan led to England’s departure from this tournament and prompted skipper Jos Buttler to step down as skipper.
This is a shame as the soft-spoken Buttler was well-liked and respected on the international scene.
Check out our sports section for the latest news and analysis.