New Delhi: In the semifinal match of the Champions Trophy 2025, Australia has set a target of 265 runs for India to chase. The highest scorer for Australia was captain Steve Smith, who played a crucial knock of 73 runs. For India, fast bowler Mohammed Shami was the standout performer, taking three wickets, including the key wicket of Smith.
Australia’s Innings: A Mixed Start
Winning the toss, Australia opted to bat first, with Travis Head and Cooper Connolly opening the innings. Connolly struggled to get going and was eventually caught behind off Mohammed Shami’s bowling without scoring a run. After his dismissal, Travis Head and Steve Smith stabilized the innings. Head, after settling in, shifted gears and played an attacking knock. However, Varun Chakravarthy dismissed him before he could convert it into a big score. Head made 39 runs off 33 balls.
Steve Smith and Alex Carey’s Half-Centuries
Following the early wickets, captain Steve Smith took charge of the innings and played a steady knock of 73 runs off 96 balls, which included one six and four boundaries. He was eventually bowled out by Mohammed Shami in the 37th over, at which point Australia’s score was 198/5. Soon after, Glenn Maxwell was dismissed for just 7 runs, bowled by Axar Patel.
Later, Alex Carey also played an important half-century, providing Australia with a strong finish in the death overs. Carey scored 61 runs off 57 balls, hitting eight boundaries and one six.
Mohammed Shami Shines with the Ball
Among the Indian bowlers, Mohammed Shami was the most effective, taking three wickets while maintaining an economy rate of 4.80, conceding just 48 runs in 10 overs. Varun Chakravarthy and Ravindra Jadeja also contributed with two wickets each.
Chakravarthy impressed by taking the crucial wicket of Travis Head in his very first over. He finished his spell with figures of 2/49 in 10 overs, maintaining an economy of 4.90. Jadeja bowled 8 overs, conceding 40 runs at an economy of 5.00.
Hardik Pandya took one wicket but was the most expensive bowler, conceding 40 runs in 5.3 overs with an economy of 7.27. Axar Patel claimed one wicket, dismissing Glenn Maxwell. Now, India needs 265 runs to secure a place in the final of the Champions Trophy 2025.