Here’s How India Celebrated After Reaching The Final Of Champions Trophy 2025

The atmosphere at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium crackled with intensity as India edged past Australia in a dramatic four-wicket victory in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 semifinal. With this win, India has booked their place in the grand finale, keeping alive their dream of reclaiming an ICC title after an 11-year wait.

The victory, spearheaded by Hardik Pandya’s power-hitting and KL Rahul’s composed finish, saw India chase down Australia’s 264-run target in a tense encounter that had cricket fans across the globe on the edge of their seats. As the team celebrated their monumental win, streets across India erupted in joy, with fans rejoicing in what was a true cricketing spectacle.

Let’s dive into the thrilling match highlights, the heroics of Pandya and Rahul, India’s tournament journey, and the reactions from cricket legends and fans alike.

India’s Semifinal Triumph: A Battle of Nerves and Skill

Facing Australia in a high-pressure ICC knockout game has always been a challenge for India. The scars of the 2023 World Cup final defeat were still fresh, and the Men in Blue were determined to settle scores this time around.

Despite some tense moments, India showcased their resilience, outplaying Australia in all departments to claim a well-deserved victory.

Australia’s Batting: A Competitive Total but a Missed Opportunity

Opting to bat first after winning the toss, Australia aimed for a 280+ total, knowing that India’s strong batting lineup could make easy work of a below-par score. However, timely breakthroughs by India’s bowlers kept them in check, restricting them to 264 all out in 49.3 overs.

Smith Holds Firm as Australia Wobbles

The innings was anchored by Steve Smith, who played a gritty knock of 73 runs off 96 balls. Partnering with Alex Carey (61 off 78 balls) and Marnus Labuschagne (38 off 50 balls), Smith ensured that Australia recovered from early stumbles.

But just when it seemed like they could accelerate, India’s bowlers struck back.

Shami, Chakravarthy, and Jadeja Restrict Australia

India’s bowlers executed their plans to perfection. The experienced Mohammed Shami (3/48 in 9.3 overs) was once again the standout performer, taking key wickets at crucial moments. His dismissal of Steve Smith, where the ball crashed into the stumps, was a turning point.

Meanwhile, Varun Chakravarthy (2/44) and Ravindra Jadeja (2/42) applied the brakes in the middle overs, removing dangerous players like Glenn Maxwell (7) and Marcus Stoinis (15) before they could inflict serious damage.

Australia’s 264 looked competitive, but India’s batting depth meant the match was far from over.

India’s Chase: A Rollercoaster Ride to Victory

Chasing 265 in a high-stakes semifinal, India knew they needed a solid start. But early wickets kept Australia in the hunt.

Kohli’s Classic Knock Provides Stability

India suffered an early blow with the dismissals of Rohit Sharma (28) and Shubman Gill (8), leaving them in a slightly tricky position at 61/2.

It was then that Virat Kohli, the master of chases, stepped up. His 84-run knock off 98 balls was the backbone of India’s innings. He calmly rotated the strike, built crucial partnerships, and ensured India stayed in control of the required run rate.

Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul Steady the Ship

At 142/3, with Kohli at one end, Shreyas Iyer (45 off 62 balls) played a crucial supporting role. However, after his departure and Kohli’s eventual dismissal, India found themselves under pressure at 225/5, needing 40 runs off 44 balls.

Enter Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul.

Hardik Pandya’s Power-Hitting Changes the Game

With India needing a push in the final overs, Pandya unleashed his trademark sixes.

His quickfire 28 off 24 balls included a monstrous 106-meter six off Tanvir Sangha, sending the Dubai crowd into a frenzy. But it was his back-to-back sixes off Adam Zampa in the 46th over that truly crushed Australia’s hopes.

Rahul Finishes in Style

With just six runs needed in the 48th over, KL Rahul sealed the victory in dramatic fashion, smashing a six over long-on.

His calm and composed 42 off 34 balls ensured that India crossed the finish line with 11 balls to spare, securing their spot in the final of the Champions Trophy 2025.

Praise from Cricketing Legends

India’s win was met with widespread acclaim from former cricketers and experts.

Rohit Sharma’s Post-Match Comments

After the match, Indian captain Rohit Sharma hailed the team’s resilience, particularly highlighting Virat Kohli’s innings and Hardik Pandya’s impact.

“This was a high-pressure game, and the way the boys responded was outstanding. Kohli played a classic knock, and Hardik’s hitting in the final overs was the knockout punch.”

Sachin Tendulkar’s Reaction

Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar took to social media to express his joy, tweeting:

“Clinical performance by Team India! @MdShami11 set the tone early, and our batters chased with patience. @imVkohli’s knock stood out. All the very best for the final!”

Steve Smith Accepts Defeat Gracefully

A disappointed Steve Smith admitted that Australia fell short by 15-20 runs and that India was the better team on the day.

“We lost wickets at crucial times. If we had gotten 280+, things could have been different. But credit to India, they played well and deserved the win.”

Team India’s Journey to the Final

India’s dominance in the tournament has been evident since the group stage. Finishing at the top of Group A, India won all their matches convincingly:

Defeated Bangladesh by 7 wickets
Defeated Pakistan by 5 wickets
Defeated New Zealand by 6 wickets

Now, with a semifinal victory over Australia, India is just one step away from lifting the Champions Trophy for the first time since 2013.

Fans Erupt in Joy: Celebrations Across India

The moment KL Rahul struck the winning six, celebrations exploded across India.

Firecrackers lit up the night sky in major cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, and Chennai.
Fans poured onto the streets, waving the tricolour and chanting “India! India!“
Social media was flooded with congratulatory messages, with hashtags like #ChampionsTrophyFinal and #TeamIndia trending worldwide.

For Indian cricket fans, this victory meant redemption, a step closer to reclaiming their lost ICC glory.

The Final Awaits: Can India End the ICC Trophy Drought?

With the final scheduled for Sunday in Dubai, India now awaits the winner of the second semifinal between New Zealand and South Africa.

Despite venue changes due to political tensions, Indian fans remain optimistic about their team’s chances of lifting the Champions Trophy.

The stage is set, the team is in form, and the fans are dreaming.

Will India reclaim their ICC dominance? The answer awaits in the grand finale!

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