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India secured a thrilling four-wicket victory over Australia in the semifinal of the Champions Trophy 2025, played at the Dubai International Stadium. Led by Rohit Sharma, India successfully chased down a challenging target of 265 runs with 11 balls to spare, delivering a highly anticipated revenge for their ODI World Cup 2023 final defeat to Australia. This impressive win not only ended Steve Smith‘s hopes of a Champions Trophy triumph but also propelled India into the final, setting up an exciting showdown in the UAE.
After their defeat in the vital clash against India, Smith opened up on the 𝔉potential reason why Australia fell short in the crucial fixture of the tournament.
Smith revealed the reason behind his defeat against India
The Australian captain was left gutted after Australia’s defeat in the semi-finals of the tournament. While taking an aim at his batters he said that Australia lost a couple of wickets at crucial times and admitted the result would have been different had his team posted a 280-plus score.
“I thought the bowlers did a really good job, they worked hard throughout, the spinners squeezed and took the game deep. It was a tricky wicket to start on batting, tough to rotate the strike, everyone did a really good job tonight. It played pretty similar throughout. Little bit of hold for the spinners, little bit of spin and a bit of skid. For the pacers, it was two-paced. We probably could have got a few more on. We lost a couple of wickets at crucial times. If we got 280+, things would have been different. Felt like we were one wicket too many down at each stage of the game. The way we’ve come together. The bowling unit did a wonderful job, some of the batters stood up. We played exceptionally well against England. Some really good cricketers, they are going to get bigger and better,” Smith said at the post-match presentation.
Smith tried to stabilize the Australian innings with the bat amidst regular fall of wickets after Australia won the toss and elected to bat first in Dubai. However, he failed to see his team through till the end of 50 overs. In the end Smith was sent back to the pavilion after a brilliant ball from Mohammed Shami took his bails off. The ꧂Aussie star scored 73 runs𝐆 off 96 balls.
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Smith rules out Dubai advantage to India
Smith dismissed the notion that India had gained an unfair advantage by playing all their matches at the same venue in Dubai during the Champions Trophy 2025. He acknowledged that the pitch in Dubai was well-suited to India’s style of play, particularly as their spinners delivered a standout performance. ♋The Australian captain accepted his team’s defeat with grace, conceding that India had outplayed them in every aspect of the game.
“Yeah, look, I’m not buying into it. I think it is what it is. India obviously played some really good cricket here. The surface kind of suits their style with the spinners that they’ve got and the seamers that they have at their disposal for a wicket like that. They played well, they outplayed us and they deserve the victory,” Smith remarked.
With a win against Australia, India entered the final of the tournament. The showdown of the Champions Trophy 2025 will be played between India and the winner of the second semi-final between New Zealand and South Africa.
