India vs Australia highlights, ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Virat Kohli stars as India beat Australia by 4 wickets to enter final

Cricket is a game of fine margins, and Australia’s Steve Smith had a lucky escape during the ICC Champions Trophy semifinal against India at the Dubai International Stadium on Tuesday.

In a bizarre moment, an Axar Patel delivery clipped the inside edge of Smith’s bat, deflected onto his pad, and gently rolled onto the stumps, only for the bails to stay intact.

It all happened on the last delivery of India’s 14th over.

The left-arm spinner delivered a good-length ball, which Smith attempted to defend. A thick inside edge saw the ball ricochet off his pad and roll towards the base of the off-stump.

As the Australian batter froze in the moment, the entire stadium held its breath.

The ball kissed the stump, but miraculously, the bails refused to budge. Smith, fully aware of what had just transpired, watched in disbelief, then breathed a sigh of relief as he survived the scare.

Commentators were quick to point out the rarity of such moments in cricket, with the visuals going viral across social media.

Even Axar Patel looked stunned, unable to believe his misfortune.

The semifinal clash between India and Australia carried high stakes, with India determined to avenge their 2023 World Cup final loss.


The Indian team took to the field wearing black armbands in memory of Mumbai’s legendary spinner Padmakar Shivalkar, who passed away on Monday at 84.

Shivalkar, a domestic cricket stalwart, was widely regarded as one of the finest spinners never to have played for India.

Smith’s lucky break could have been the turning point Australia needed. For now, cricket fans can only marvel at the unpredictable nature of the sport -- where even the gentlest touch of the ball on the stumps isn’t always enough to dislodge the bails.

Australia captain Steve Smith won the toss and opted to field first against Team India in their ICC Champions Trophy semifinal at the Dubai International Stadium on Tuesday. Led by Rohit Sharma, the Indian team took the field wearing black armbands in front of a packed crowd at the Dubai International Stadium. The gesture was in honor of Mumbai spinner Padmakar Shivalkar, who passed away on Monday at the age of 84 due to age-related issues.


Regarded as one of the finest spinners never to have represented India at the international level, Shivalkar played 124 First-Class matches, amassing 589 wickets at an impressive average of 19.69. His career spanned from the 1961-62 season to 1987-88.

The left-arm spinner made his Ranji Trophy debut at the age of 22 and continued playing until he was 48. He was a dominant force in India's premier domestic competition, securing 361 wickets, including eleven 10-wicket hauls. Shivalkar also featured in 12 List A matches, where he claimed 16 wickets.

In recognition of his contributions to Indian cricket, he was honored with the CK Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award by the Indian cricket board in 2017.

"Mumbai cricket has lost a true legend today. Padmakar Shivalkar Sir's contribution to the game, especially as one of the finest spinners of all time, will always be remembered," said Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) president Ajinkya Naik.

"His dedication, skill, and impact on Mumbai cricket are unparalleled. His passing is an irreplaceable loss to the cricketing fraternity. May his soul rest in peace," he added.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) also expressed its condolences on his passing.

"The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) deeply mourns the unfortunate demise of Shri Padmakar Shivalkar, who passed away on March 3, 2025. The legendary left-arm spinner was a stalwart of Indian domestic cricket, renowned for his unparalleled skill and dedication to the game," BCCI said in a statement released on Tuesday.

Australia won the toss and chose to bat first against India in the first semifinal of the 2025 Champions Trophy on Tuesday.

The match is a rematch of the 2023 Cricket World Cup final in Ahmedabad, where Australia secured their sixth ODI title.

India dominated Group A, winning all three of their matches against Bangladesh, host Pakistan, and New Zealand.

Australia finished second in Group B after securing victories over England and Afghanistan. Their match against Group B toppers South Africa was abandoned due to rain.

South Africa will take on New Zealand in the second semifinal, set to be played in Lahore on Wednesday.

India’s toss troubles continued as they lost their 14th consecutive toss, dating back to the 2023 Cricket World Cup final.

The Indian team remains unchanged from their previous game on Sunday, once again fielding four spinners. Mohammed Shami and Hardik Pandya are the two pace options.

Varun Chakravarthy, who delivered an impressive 5-42 performance against New Zealand, joins Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, and Kuldeep Yadav as India’s spin attack.

Australia, adjusting to different conditions compared to Lahore and Rawalpindi, have opted for three spinners.

Leg-spinner Tanveer Sangha replaces pacer Spencer Johnson, while Adam Zampa and Glenn Maxwell add further spin options.

Australia have also made a change in its batting lineup, with 21-year-old Cooper Connolly replacing the injured Matthew Short. Connolly also offers a left-arm spin option.

The pitch at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium is expected to assist spinners throughout the game. The surface has displayed a two-paced nature in the previous matches played here, and a similar trend is anticipated for the semifinal.

Playing XIs:

Australia: Cooper Connolly, Travis Head, Steve Smith (captain), Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis, Alex Carey, Glenn Maxwell, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Tanveer Sangha

India: Rohit Sharma (captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, Lokesh Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy