Under the Dubai lights, India got their revenge on Australia and knocked them out of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 with a thrilling 4 wicket win.
The ghosts of November 19, 2023-the heartbreak of the World Cup final loss were finally put to rest.
This time, it was India who had the last laugh, chasing down 265 with 11 balls to spare and making it to their 3rd consecutive Champions Trophy final.
South Africa or New Zealand whoever comes next, India is ready! Australia started well but India had other plans.
Virat Kohli, the Real Chhaava: Kicks Out Pakistan
Steve Smith (73) and Alex Carey (61) stabilised the innings but just when Travis Head was looking dangerous India's old nemesis, Shubman Gill sent him packing with a sharp, debated catch.
It was poetic justice. Mohammed Shami (3/48), Varun Chakaravarthy (2/49), and Ravindra Jadeja (2/40) didn't let Australia break free and restricted them to 264.
India's chase had its share of jitters as Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill fell early but then came the man, the myth, the chase-master-Virat Kohli.
With Shreyas Iyer (45), he rebuilt the innings and scored a classy 84 off 98 balls. He also became the fastest batter to 8000 runs in ODI chases, breaking Sachin Tendulkar's record in the process.
Kohli was cruising towards a century but Adam Zampa had other plans. But before Australia could dream of a comeback, Hardik Pandya (28 off 24) smashed 3 massive sixes and KL Rahul (42*) finished the job in style.
This was more than a semi-final it was payback. The Aussies crushed India's World Cup dreams last year but today, the tables turned.
Australia learned the hard way that cricket has its own karma and India, with perfect timing, served cold revenge under the Dubai sky.
Now, with momentum on their side, India is just one step away from lifting another ICC trophy.
March 9 is the final chapter-can India complete the redemption arc and win the Champions Trophy? The cricketing world is watching!