Another Kohli masterclass takes India to Champions Trophy final

At one point, India seemed to be coasting toward victory in the semifinal of the ICC Champions Trophy against Australia in Dubai. But the match ended up being a roller-coaster, requiring India to explore its batting depth to advance to the final. India won by four wickets and will play for the title against the winners of Wednesday’s second semifinal contested between New Zealand and South Africa.

Virat Kohli's masterful 84, ably supported by Shreyas Iyer's 45, had got India within striking distance of Australia's fighting total of 264. But Adam Zampa removed the two set batters, derailing an otherwise smooth chase.

Hardik Pandya punched Zampa for a pair of sixes to turn the pressure upon the Aussies when 27 was required off 24 deliveries on a surface that did not make strokeplay any easier, even for some of the best batters in the world. He then lifted Nathan Ellis over his head for a boundary but was caught in the deep while trying to finish off proceedings with a big hit.

But by then the job was done and K L Rahul wrapped it up with another fine six to remain unbeaten on 42 off 34. It was the highest India had chased in the Champions Trophy, but Rohit Sharma's men did so with 11 balls to spare. Pakistan's 241 was the highest total India had to chase in the event until today.

Earlier, Captain Steven Smith came up with a valiant 73 to guide Australia to a fighting score after beating his Indian counterpart Rohit to the toss. But Rohit's trusted pacer Mohammed Shami got an early breakthrough by getting Cooper Connolly (0) to edge into the safe hands of K L Rahul behind the stumps. Shami was the pick of the bowlers, finishing with 3/48.

Connolly and Tanveer Sangha were two changes to the Australia side that played Afghanistan in a rain-hit league match. Australia had more or less matched India in the spin department by including leg-spinner Sangha and part-time left-arm spinner Connolly.

Mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy once again proved to be India's most potent slow bowler by taking two wickets, taking him to the top of the wicket-takers list in the ICC event. Varun dealt a massive blow to Australia's power game by taking out Travis Head, who looked menacing with a 33-ball 39. Alex Carey steadied the Australian ship with its captain at the other end before being run out on 61.

Ravindra Jadeja broke the Australian middle-order by trapping Marnus Labuschagne (29) leg before and dismissing Josh Inglis (11), while Axar Patel castled dangerman Glenn Maxwell (7).

Brief scores: Australia 264 in 49.3 overs (Steven Smith 73, Alex Carey 61, Travis Head 39, Mohammed Shami 3/48, Ravindra Jadeja 2/40, Varun Chakravarthy 2/49) lost to India 267/6 in 28.1 overs (Virat Kohli 84, Shreyas Iyer 45, KL Rahul 42 not out, Nathan Ellis 2/49, Adam Zampa 2/60)