In an electrifying semifinal clash at the Dubai International Stadium, India clinched a remarkable four-wicket victory over Australia in the 2025 Champions Trophy. Under the leadership of Rohit Sharma, the Indian team successfully chased a robust target of 265 runs, wrapping up the game with 11 balls left. This win was particularly satisfying, as it avenged their 2023 ODI World Cup final loss to Australia. With this victory, India’s campaign soared to new heights, securing their place in the much-anticipated final in the UAE and putting an end to Steve Smith’s aspirations of winning the Champions Trophy.
Reflecting on the matchup against India, Steve Smith offered insights into why his team couldn’t clinch the victory in this crucial tournament encounter.
### Smith Weighs In on What Went Wrong Against India
The defeat left the Australian captain visibly disappointed. Speaking candidly, Smith took a critical look at his batting lineup, expressing that losing key wickets at pivotal moments hindered their chances. He speculated that achieving a score over 280 might have turned the tide in their favor.
“I thought the bowlers put in a commendable effort, working tirelessly throughout the game. Our spinners kept the pressure on and made sure the contest was stiff. The pitch was challenging for batting from the start, making strike rotation difficult. While our team put up a good fight, especially the bowlers, we were short by several runs. If we’d managed to secure 280 or more, the outcome might’ve been different. We consistently found ourselves one wicket too many down during crucial phases. Despite our strong performance against England and having talented players performing well, the batsmen needed to step up more,” Smith commented during the post-match presentation.
Even as Australia batted first after winning the toss, their innings was shaky, with Smith trying to anchor the team amid frequent wicket losses. Ultimately, his innings were cut short by an exceptional delivery from Mohammed Shami that sent him back with a solid 73 runs off 96 balls.
### Smith Debunks Dubai Advantage Theory
Contrary to speculations, Smith dismissed the idea that India benefited from playing all their matches in Dubai. He acknowledged that the pitch played well to India’s strategies, especially their spinners’ outstanding performance. The Australian captain graciously accepted the result, admitting India had the upper hand throughout the contest.
“Yeah, I’m not going to make a fuss about it. India obviously delivered top-notch cricket here. The surface indeed aligns well with their gameplay, particularly considering their versatile spinners and seamers for such conditions. They played with skill, outperformed us, and earned the win,” Smith acknowledged.
With this win under their belt, India set the stage for the final bout of the Champions Trophy 2025. They await the winner of the second semifinal, where New Zealand and South Africa will battle it out for a place in the final.
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