Australia set India 265 to win in Champions Trophy semi-final
DUBAI: Australia Steve Smith and Alex Carey’s half-centuries set India a target of 265 to win in the 1st Semi-Final of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 here at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.
After opting to bat, Australia were bowled out for 264 in 49.3 overs.
Former champions had a poor start as their new opener, Cooper Connolly, was dismissed for a duck after playing nine deliveries.
After the first wicket, Head and Steve Smith added a quick-fire stand of 50 runs. Travis Head smashed five fours and two sixes in his 39 off 33 deliveries before being dismissed off Varun Chakravarthy.
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Australia lost wickets at regular intervals, but Steve Smith remained firm at one end and kept the scoreboard ticking with crucial partnerships.
He formed a crucial 54-run partnership with Alex Carey for the fifth wicket, bringing Australia close to 200 runs.
Smith remained the top scorer with his gritty knock of 73 runs, which featured four fours and one six.
After Smith’s departure in the 37 overs, Alex Carey took the charge and helped Australia reach a competitive total. He scored 61 off 59 deliveries, with eight fours and one six.
Mohammed Shami was the stand-out bowler for India with 3 three wickets, while Varun Chakravarthy and Ravindra Jadeja bagged two wickets.
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Playing XIs
Australia: Travis Head, Josh Inglis (wk), Steve Smith (c), Marnus Labuschagne, Cooper Connolly, Alex Carey, Glenn Maxwell, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Tanveer Sangha, Adam Zampa
India: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, KL Rahul (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy
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