India qualified for the high-stakes ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 final on March 9 at the gorgeous Dubai International Cricket Stadium (DISC). After beating Australia by four wickets at the same location on Tuesday, the 2013 champions became the first side to qualify for the final.
The blockbuster match will now be played in Dubai despite Pakistan being the host, since the International Cricket Council (ICC) indicated that the final venue is contingent to India’s qualification when releasing the eight-team tournament’s schedule.
Remember, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) declined to send its men’s squad to Pakistan months before the eight-team event, citing government orders. After the BCCI refused, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) retaliated, starting a long standoff.
PCB proposed a ‘Fusion Formula’ to resolve the conflict, which requires both teams to play at a neutral venue anytime India or Pakistan hosts an event for three years. Australia scored 260 batting first before being bowled out in 49.3 overs despite half-centuries from Steve Smith and Alex Carey.
Smith led Australia with 73 off 96 deliveries, including four fours and a six, while Carey scored 61 off 57. Indian right-arm pacer Mohammed Shami took three wickets, followed by Varun Chakravarthy and Ravindra Jadeja with two each.
Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer’s 91-run third-wicket partnership helped India chase down the score in six wickets and 11 balls.
Kohli led India with a 98-ball 84, including five fours, while Iyer scored a conservative 45.
