India secures final spot defeating Australia in thriller

In a nail-biting encounter in Dubai, India defeated Australia by 4 wickets with 11 balls to spare to secure a spot in the Champions Trophy final. 

Chasing a target of 265, India faced early setbacks but managed to clinch the victory thanks to crucial partnerships and a composed finish.

India's chase began shakily as Shubman Gill was dismissed for just 8 runs. Captain Rohit Sharma also fell early, scoring 28 off 29 balls, leaving India at 43/2. However, Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer steadied the ship with a 91-run partnership off 111 balls, bringing India back into the game. Iyer was eventually bowled by Adam Zampa for 45, and Axar Patel contributed 27 off 30 balls before departing.

Kohli, playing a responsible innings, looked set for a century but was caught off Zampa's bowling after scoring 84 off 98 balls, including 5 boundaries. His dismissal gave Australia a glimmer of hope, but Hardik Pandya and Lokesh Rahul ensured India crossed the finish line. Pandya smashed two sixes in the 47th over before being dismissed for 28 off 24 balls. Rahul remained unbeaten on 42 off 34 balls, hitting 2 fours and 2 sixes, including the winning six.

Earlier, Australia posted 264 runs in 49.3 overs after being asked to bat. Steven Smith and Alex Carey scored half-centuries, but the team failed to capitalize fully. Smith scored 73 off 96 balls, while Carey contributed 61 off 57 balls before being run out. India's Mohammad Shami took 3 wickets, while Varun Chakravarthy and Ravindra Jadeja claimed 2 wickets each.

India will now face the winner of the second semifinal between Pakistan and New Zealand in the Champions Trophy final.