Dubai: 

Chasing a 265 on a trick surface, it was Kohli's magnificent knock, which was laced with five fours, that proved to be the difference between the two sides. India await their opponents and it will be either New Zealand or South Africa.

 India rode on Virat Kohli's vintage 84 to enter into the final of the ICC Champions Trophy after they defeated a spirited Australia by 4 wickets in the first semi-final here, which went down to the wire.

After Kohli took India nearly to win, it was all-rounder Hardik Pandya, who displayed his six-hitting prowess and smashed two back-to-back sixes off Adam Zampa in the 47th over, which sealed the game for the Men in Blue.

Hardik Pandya's late onslaught took the side home comfortably. While Hardik departed on 28, Rahul remained not out on 42 and finished the game with a six. The high-profile clash and India took revenge for their 2023 ODI World Cup final defeat. The Australian team posted 264 while batting first, thanks to half-centuries from Steve Smith and Alex Carey.

This will be India's fifth final appearance in the Champions Trophy after 2000, 2002, 2013 and 2017. Earlier, India lost openers Shubhman Gill and Rohit Sharma early. But a determined Kohli and Shreyas Iyer first conjured 91 runs for the third wicket that brought India back into the game. After Shreyas fell, Axar Patel, who walked in at number 5, played his part to perfection with a 30-ball 27. Kohli then took the onus on himself even as Rahul played his part to perfection.

In the Champions Trophy semi-final clash, Australia opted to bat at the Dubai International Stadium. Cooper Connolly, who was playing just his fourth ODI, was dismissed on duck by Mohammed Shami with a brilliant delivery seaming away from him. The batter nicked it, and KL Rahul grabbed the take in the slips. Travis Head then accelerated the innings, but his carnage was thwarted soon by Varun Chakrvarthy as he got out on 39 while attempting a big heave.

Rohit Sharma lost one more toss in the semifinal of the Champions Trophy fixture against Australia, and the opposition chose to bowl. India now has 14 consecutive losses in a row, which is the longest streak in ODIs. Rohit Sharma has also lost 11 tosses in a row as India's captain.

After Australia were reduced to 54/2, Steve Smith started anchoring the innings while wickets around him kept falling. He stitched a brief partnership of 66 runs for the third wicket with Marnus Labuschagne (29), but Ravindra Jadeja dismissed the latter. Smith played a knock of 73 runs while Alex Carey provided finishing touches to the innings with a knock of 61 runs but walked back to the pavilion as a direct hit from Shreyas Iyer sent him back to the pavilion. The Kangaroos finally posted 264 on the scoreboard.

This is India's third successive final of the Champions Trophy after 2013 and 2017. While India won the 2013 Trophy by defeating England, they lost the 2017 final against arch-rivals Pakistan. Now the final will be played in Dubai on March 9 as India have qualified for it. Kohli was presented the Man of the Match Award and he said that his innings similar to the one against Pakistan in the league game.

India topped Group A, winning all of their fixture to enter the semifinal, while Australia occupied the second spot in Group B with four points from three matches.

India Head coach, Gautam Gambhir, said that the team did not tick all the boxes and played a perfect game, but still, they were in the finals. "We give our 100 per cent on the field and strive to remain humble off it," added the southpaw.

Gambhir also asserted that he does not care about criticism and is honest to his job.

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