Left Arm Around

Virat Kohli’s composed 84 propelled India to a nervy four-wicket victory over Australia in the first semi-final of the ICC Champions Trophy in Dubai.

They will next face either New Zealand or South Africa at the same venue in Sunday’s final.

Kohli departed with 40 runs still required in their pursuit of 265, but KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja ensured his knock wasn’t in vain as India secured victory with 11 balls to spare.

His knock of 84 from 98 balls featured just five fours, illustrating how well he was able to manipulate gaps and rotate the strike when his side needed it on a tricky surface.

The 36-year-old also made history with a record 24th 50+ score in an ICC ODI event, leapfrogging the great Sachin Tendulkar in five fewer innings.

Australia opted for two frontline spinners in Tanveer Sangha and Adam Zampa, anticipating turning conditions in Dubai, however one feels they were 20 or 30 runs short given the strength and depth of India’s batting line-up.

Though they began well in defence of 264 with Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma sent packing early- despite two potentially costly drops- Kohli and an in-form Shreyas Iyer built a crucial 91-run partnership that laid the foundation.

Zampa removed the dangerous Iyer for 45 before Nathan Ellis returned shortly after to castle Axar Patel, bringing renewed hope for Steve Smith’s side, but Kohli’s calming presence and stunning chasing record meant India were always in the ascendancy as the match drawed to its conclusion.

Another century seemed a formality before he holed out to long-on and dipped his head in disappointment, angry and crestfallen that he couldn’t see them over the finishing line. That the game was out of his hands.

However, following a quick-fire cameo from Hardik Pandya and an unbeaten 42 from wicket-keeper KL Rahul, India marched on to maintain their 100% winning record following group stage triumphs over Bangladesh, Pakistan and New Zealand.

Earlier, Australia will have been frustrated to post only 264 despite the stop and nature of their innings.

Stand-in opener Cooper Connolly departed for a painful nine-ball duck as Mohammad Shami had him caught behind, however Travis Head appeared to be continuing his love affair against India after being dropped in the opening over.

Varun Chakravarthy then removed Head for 39 (33) with his first delivery to continue his impressive tournament, a breakthrough that saw the run-rate consolidate through the middle phase.

Nonetheless, at 198-4 in the 37th over, Australia seemed primed for a late-innings onslaught with Smith and Alex Carey more than accustomed to conditions.

Yet despite a blistering 61 from Carey that provided an injection of impetus at the back end, Smith’s tame dismissal to a Shami full-toss on 73 left the new batters with little time to adjust.

A skittish Glenn Maxwell soon came and went for 7, meanwhile a fragile lower-order of Ben Dwarshuis, Zampa, Ellis and Sangha tumbled in quick succession as Carey simply ran out of capable partners to support his assault.

Shami ended the pick of the bowlers with 3-48, while Jadeja and Chakravarthy collected two wickets apiece.

Whether it be the Black Caps or Proteas standing in their way of another global trophy on Sunday, India will take some stopping.

Let the controversy reignite but Dubai might just be a new fortress…