Champions Trophy: India Need 265 To Reach Final After Shami & Spinners Bowl Out Australia

Pic courtesy BCCI

Dubai: Team India bowled out Australia for 264 in the final over of their Champions Trophy semifinal at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.

After Rohit Sharma lost yet another toss, Mohammed Shami was India’s star performer, bagging 3/48 in his 10 overs. The spinners played their part as well, with Ravindra Jadeja (2/40), Varun Chakravarthy (2/49) and Axar Patel (1/43) chipping in handily.

Shami had inexperienced Cooper Connolly caught behind in the third over, but then the dangerous Travis Head (39 off 33 balls, 5×4, 2×6) looked to be getting into his destructive groove. To India’s glee and relief, Varun Chakravarthy lured him into a false stroke in his very first over to have him caught by a sprinting Shubman Gill.

Skipper Steve Smith had a couple of close shaves, including one on 23 when an inside edge off Axar rolled back and struck the stumps without dislodging the bails. Smith went on to make 73 before Shami castled him.

Alex Carey then played beautifully and threatened to take Australia close to 300 before a brilliant direct throw from Shreyas Iyer ran the left-hander out.