ICC Champions Trophy India Vs Australia Semi Final: India Need 265 Runs To Reach The Champions Trophy Final
India were exceptionally well with bowl as they bowled out Australia for 264 runs.
ICC Champions Trophy Semi Final: Hardik Pandya cleans up Adam Zampa, and Australia have been bowled out for 264. At one stage, the reigning World Champions looked set for at least 280, if not more. But a brilliant comeback, led by Mohammed Shami’s 3/48 and some able support by Varun Chakaravarthy and Ravindra Jadeja, ensured India had less than 270 to chase to book themselves a place in the Champions Trophy final.
After Steve Smith won the toss and opted to bat, Australia were rocked early, with Shami dismissing Copper Connolly for a painful duck. Travis Head, India’s nemesis, struggled the initial few overs but switched gears effectively shortly after to send fears into the hearts and minds of the Indian fans. Head raced to 39 before Chakaravarthy foxed him with a wrong one to give India a much-needed breakthrough.
Smith and Marnus Labuschagne then dug in, forging a watchful 56-run partnership. However, just when their alliance began to look threatening, Ravindra Jadeja struck Marnus on the pads, getting him out of LBW. The new man in, Josh Inglis, hung around for a while before lobbing a simple catch to Virat Kohli. Australia’s hopes rested on the shoulders of their captain, Smith, who scored a dogged half-century but 27 short of a hundred, missed a full toss to be castled by Shami. One brought two as in the next over Glenn Maxwell smoked a six, only to be clean bowled the next ball by Axar. Carey kept Australia ticking with a cracking fifty of his own, but Shreyas Iyer produced a brilliant piece of fielding, nailing a direct hit from the deep to run him out.
Ravindra Jadeja, who took two wickets, said that the pitch is better than India’s last match against New Zealand.
Speaking to the host broadcaster, Jadeja said, “The wicket is better than the last game, not much spin. We need to start well. If we play sensible cricket in the first 10 overs, then there won’t be any issues. Smith and Labuschagne were batting nicely and I tried to attack the stumps. Luckily we were able to contain the runs and picked a few wickets as well.”
The highest target successfully chased down in an ICC ODI tournament knockout game against Australia is 261. This was done by India in the 2011 World Cup quarterfinal in Ahmedabad. India are surely favourites to target and fancy this chase with ease. Fans are hoping that India will play another ICC Champions Trophy Final after 2017.
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