A palpable tension had kept about 20,000 fans at Dubai International Stadium on the edge of their seats. India and Australia were playing chess in a bigger arena. A release-outlet was needed and it came from the bat of Virat Kohli. A short ball from Adam Zampa was pulled to the deep square-leg boundary. It took Kohli to his half-century. “Chase-master is back” became the catchphrase on social media.
Until then, Kohli was going untroubled, in the zone and batting at his own pace. But a Cooper Connolly delivery suddenly played a trick. A leading edge ensued and the ball went in the air to Glenn Maxwell, arguably Australia’s best fielder, at short extra-cover. He dived, but for a change, couldn’t hold on to the chance. India heaved a sigh of relief. From Australia’s perspective, Maxwell dropped the match.
Shreyas Iyer was going well at the other end and India were 134/2 after 26 overs, chasing 265 for victory. They looked to be in control, when Zampa made one skid off the surface and breached Shreyas’s defence. The 91-run third wicket partnership was broken and the game opened up yet again. The Champions Trophy semi-final here on Tuesday was a battle of two ‘grandmasters’ and via moves and counter-moves, the game was living up to its billing.
Soon, Kohli was saved by an inside edge against Maxwell. But Nathan Ellis castled Axar Patel and India were 178/4 after 35 overs. The required run rate, 5.80, was still very much under control, but the game was going down to the wire.
The 41st over, bowled by Ben Dwarshuis, was when the balance started to tilt in India’s favour. KL Rahul cleared the in-field and eight runs were scored. In the next over, Rahul sent Zampa straight over the sight screen. He was playing a little gem. At the receiving end of deplorable abuse on social media after the 2023 World Cup final, Rahul took this opportunity to come up with a fitting riposte.
So many column-inches were used to analyse his selection in the playing XI ahead of Rishabh Pant. Also, his batting position, No. 6, was debated upon at length. All along, though, the team management knew what they were doing. As India beat Australia by four wickets to qualify for the final, Rahul, and the think-tank had the last laugh.
Befittingly, exhilaratingly, the winning shot also came off his bat, against Maxwell. Rahul remained unbeaten on 42 off 34 deliveries.
For once, Kohli couldn’t finish the game, getting out for 84 off 98 balls. India were still 40 runs shy of the target when he perished. But Rahul kept uncertainties at arm’s length. Hardik Pandya’s cameo – 28 off 24 – was an excellent support-act, as India won with 11 balls to spare.
Once again, they trumped their opponents in the middle overs. India have been doing this since the home ODI series against England. On Tuesday also, they lost their openers early. Rohit Sharma couldn’t take the advantage of a couple of dropped chances and was dismissed for 28 off 29 balls. Shubman Gill scored eight. But Kohli, Shreyas and Rahul saw their side through. Even Axar played an important hand at No. 5, scoring 27 off 30 balls and adding 54 runs with Kohli for the fourth wicket. Another wicket on the heels of Shreyas’s departure could have queered India’s pitch.
Earlier, Steve Smith gave a masterclass of playing spin on a tricky surface, making 73 off 96 deliveries and helping Australia post 264 after winning the toss and batting first. But he got out at the wrong time to a Mohammed Shami full-toss. Travis Head, India’s nemesis, was threatening to take the game away in the first Powerplay. But Varun Chakravarthy got the better of him. In the end, the Aussies were probably about 20 runs short.
Like India, Australia, too, played four spinners. But there was a difference in class and experience.
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