 "Alex Carey plays a shot against India in CT 2025 semi-final. Image: Reuters")
Australia posted a competitive total of 264 in their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 semi-final clash against India at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday. The score stands as the highest total in the Dubai leg of the ongoing tournament, but whether it will be enough against India’s formidable batting lineup remains to be seen.
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Smith and Carey power Australia to 264
Opting to bat first, Australia suffered an early setback as Mohammed Shami struck in his opening spell, dismissing Cooper Connolly for a duck in the third over. Travis Head played a brisk knock of 39 off 33 deliveries, attacking the Indian pacers before Varun Chakravarthy had him caught by Shubman Gill.
Captain Steven Smith held the innings together with a well-paced 73 off 96 balls, forming crucial partnerships with Marnus Labuschagne (29) and Alex Carey (61). Carey’s counterattacking knock of 61 off 57 balls, which included eight boundaries and a six, helped Australia recover from 144/4 to a more respectable total. However, his dismissal in the 47th over triggered a late collapse, preventing Australia from fully capitalising in the death overs.
Mohammed Shami was the pick of the bowlers, finishing with 3/48 in his 10-over spell. His scalps included Smith, Connolly, and Nathan Ellis, ensuring Australia never truly ran away with the game. Ravindra Jadeja (2/40) and Varun Chakravarthy (2/49) provided crucial breakthroughs, while Hardik Pandya and Axar Patel chipped in with a wicket each.
With 264 on the board, Australia will look to their bowlers to make early inroads against India’s strong batting unit.