Team India secured a commanding 44-run victory over Australia in the first semifinal of the 2025 Champions Trophy on Tuesday (March 4) at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. With this win, Rohit Sharma’s men booked their place in the final of yet another ICC white-ball tournament, continuing their stellar run in global events.
India’s Bowling Attack Shines
After winning the toss and opting to bat first, Australia posted a competitive total of 264 in 49.3 overs. Steven Smith led the charge with a solid 73, while Alex Carey contributed a crucial 61. However, India’s bowlers kept things tight. Mohammed Shami was the pick of the bowlers, claiming three important wickets. Ravindra Jadeja and Varun Chakaravarthy chipped in with two scalps each, restricting Australia from setting an even bigger target.
Virat Kohli Leads the Chase
Chasing 265, India put up a composed batting display, reaching 267/6 in 48.1 overs. Virat Kohli once again proved why he is India’s go-to man in pressure situations. His well-crafted 84 provided the stability needed for a successful chase. The middle order stepped up as well, ensuring there were no major hiccups. Timely contributions from KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya helped India seal the victory with ease.
Fans Flood Social Media with Memes
Cricket fans were thrilled by the high-stakes encounter and took to social media to share their reactions. Memes flooded platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram, with some humorously referring to Australia’s struggle to defend their total. One popular meme read:
“Badla Poora Hua.”
when you realized India took the revenge of 19 november from Australia: pic.twitter.com/rjHPNDpjUR
— isHaHaHa (@hajarkagalwa) March 4, 2025
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Pakistanis watching the Champions Trophy final being played in another country, while Pakistan is the host 🤣#IndvsAus https://t.co/ScfBJ47SLH
— Prayag (@theprayagtiwari) March 4, 2025
Revenge to Lena hai na#INDvsAUS #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/6ONaChOYiI
— बलिया वाले 2.0 (@balliawalebaba) March 4, 2025
Virat Kohli 🫡🫡🇮🇳 #INDvsAUS pic.twitter.com/lIBfJf3slI
— 𝗠𝗲𝗺𝗲 𝗔𝗱𝗱𝗶𝗰𝘁 (@DilSeMemes) March 4, 2025
Chamatkar ki jagah , ye kya hua ? 😭#INDvsAUS | #TeamIndia | #ChampionsTrophy | #ChampionsTrophy2025 pic.twitter.com/WarxvFn84A
— Yash Tiwari (@DrYashTiwari) March 5, 2025
King Kohli won the game for India. pic.twitter.com/wD1uxciDOq
— Incognito (@Incognito_qfs) March 4, 2025
Australia Reflects on Missed Chances
Speaking after the match, Australian skipper Steve Smith acknowledged that his team fell short of the ideal score. He praised the bowlers for their effort but admitted that an extra 15-20 runs could have made a significant difference.
“The bowlers did a great job. They worked hard and kept the game alive till the end. The pitch wasn’t the easiest for batting, and rotating the strike was a challenge. We needed a few more runs on the board—280+ would have been ideal,” Smith said in the post-match interview.
Also Read: Steve Smith Retires From ODIs Following ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Semi-Final Defeat
