In a nail-biting semi-final encounter at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, India beat Australia by four wickets to qualify for the Champions Trophy final. The win was supported by a commanding innings by Virat Kohli, who scored 84 off 98 balls, and a late, vital cameo by Hardik Pandya.

Australia, who won the toss and chose to bat, scored 264 runs before being bowled out in 49.3 overs. Skipper Steve Smith was the top scorer with a decent 73 runs, while Alex Carey added a crucial 61. Mohammed Shami was India's pick of the bowlers, taking three wickets for 48 runs.

India's pursuit started with early hiccups, the loss of openers Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma in the first eight overs. Kohli's calm and experience, however, steadied the innings. He formed crucial partnerships, including a 91-run one with Shreyas Iyer, who contributed 41 runs. Kohli's game was marked by judicious strike rotation and calculated boundary hitting, a sign of his study of the game's niceties.

As the game went on, the run rate needed increased, but Hardik Pandya's free-flowing 45 off 27 balls turned the game in India's direction. His three sixes in his innings provided much-needed momentum to the chase. The game ended in a thrilling manner with KL Rahul hitting a six to seal the victory, taking India's score to 265 for six in 48.1 overs.

This win did not only settle India's score against Australia, which lost the 2023 Cricket World Cup final, but also reflected well on the country's resilience as well as strategy. India now awaits the conquerors of New Zealand and South Africa's encounter in the tournament's final after winning their respective semi-final to claim the title of Champions Trophy.