Champions Trophy 2025: Steve Smith Gets an Unexpected Lifeline After Ball Meets The Stumps But Bails Remained Firm

Champions Trophy 2025: Australia's Steve Smith survived a near fall after getting a lifeline when the ball failed to dislodge the bails. The skipper got himself very lucky after the miraculous save, as the Indian bowling attack had already dismissed the trailblazing Aussie openers. Smith is one of the team's biggest hopes of reaching a favourable target after they came in the bat first after winning the toss. The Aussie skipper will make use of the opportunity he received after the bails did not budge and the red light did not shine.

Steve Smith Gets An Unexpected Save During CT Semifinal

The moment happened during the final ball of the 13th over when Australia skipper Steve Smith was facing India's spin-bowling all-rounder Axar Patel. The Australian skipper tried to drive it, but the ball had got the inside edge towards the pads, and it hit the lower end of the off-stump. However, the ball's force was not enough to dislodge the bails, which could have offered India a huge advantage in the critical semi-final match-up.

Wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul looked at the ball in despair as it went towards the stumps but failed to dismiss the batter. The Indian side had already missed out on a run-out chance, but Chakaravarthy could not get the angle right. Smith is making use of the advantage and is now forging a key partnership with Marnus Labuschagne.

Also Read: Umpire FORCES Ravindra Jadeja To Remove Extra Taping, All-Rounder Starts To Bleeding Next Ball

India & Australia Give Their All For CT Final Spot 

Unfortunately, Rohit Sharma 's luck fails to work yet again as Australia won the toss and chose to bat first. Both teams have chosen spin-heavy lineups, with Varun Chakaravarthy joining India's playing XI while Australia bring in Cooper Connolly and Tanveer Sangha.

Australia came in red-hot in the competition to smash big shots around the park. Team India's biggest nightmare, Travis Head, looked in form, and he was hitting fours and sixes, which had the Indian fans get deja vu. But India managed to tear the terror up after Head lost his wicket at Varun Chakaravarthy's second delivery of his first over. Opener Cooper Connolly fell for a duck, while Marnus Labuschagne was also taken down, courtesy of Ravindra Jadeja's spectacular delivery.

The winner of the first semifinal will advance to the Champions Trophy summit clash, which will be held on March 9, 2025.  

Also Read: 'Thank You Gill And Varun': Indian Fans Break The Internet After Chakaravarthy And Shubman Dismiss Travis Head In Dubai