India's Clinical Bowling Brigade Stands Strong Against Australia's Dominant Show, AUS Restricted To 264 In CT Semifinal

Team India stood tall against a dominant Australian batting force that came with the intent to go big against the Rohit Sharma -led Men in Blue. Opener Travis Head went all out as he tried to smash the ball over the boundary ropes to give an explosive start. But Varun Chakaravarthy came in clutch to dismiss the team's biggest headache. Australia managed to score 264 before being entirely dismissed in the 49th over. 

Australia Gets Fine Fifties Off Steve Smith & Alex Carey To Score 264

For Australia, skipper Steve Smith played the anchor role with his 96-ball 73 to elevate Australia's momentum against India. Alex Carey also fired off some great shots and scored 61 off 57, with eight boundaries and a six. The momentum was set up by Travis Head, whose 39-run cameo gave a firm start to the Aussies. The AUS opener flicked some good shots off Hardik Pandya and Mohammed Shami's deliveries to help gain some recovery after opener Cooper Connolly's dismissal. But Varun Chakravarthy's mysterious delivery did the trick as Shubman Gill made a firm catch to dismiss the batter.

Australia's middle-order batters could not cope up as Labuschagne was trapped by Ravindra Jadeja's dangerous spell, while Josh Inglis was also taken out by Jadjeja's brilliance as Virat Kohli made a firm catch from short covers. Glenn Mazwell also failed to hold on as Axar Patel's delivery went right into the stumps.

Also Read: IND vs AUS CT 2025 Semi-Final Live Score

Indian Bowling Stood Out In Dry Dubai Pitch

Team India offered ample resistance as Mohammed Shami scalped three while Varun Chakaravarthy and Ravindra Jadeja picked two wickets each. All-rounders Hardik Pandya and Axar Patel also picked one wicket each. The Rohit Sharma-led Men in Blue now have a target of 265 runs.

Notably, putting up a 250+ target at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium is quite a task, as neither Pakistan nor Bangladesh have managed to pull it off in the ongoing marquee ICC event. India also went to 249 against the Blackcaps in the previous match-up. It would be a challenge for the Rohit Sharma-led side, as they would be chasing on a very confusing track.

Also Read: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli LAMBAST Kuldeep Yadav For Not Picking Ball During Ind vs Aus Champions Trophy 2025 S/F | WATCH