India's Thrilling Win Over Australia-Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, and the Cricket Community Respond

The Indian cricket team put up an outstanding show in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 semifinal, registering a thrilling win over Australia and reaching the grand finale. The match, played in Dubai, saw great individual performances and a team effort that enabled India to chase down a challenging total successfully. After this victory, cricketing heroes and fans joined social media to commemorate the victory, with cricketing greats like Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, and more lavishing compliments on exceptional performances.

India's Semi-Final Showdown With Australia

Australia won the toss and decided to bat first. Their batting was a blend of grit and aggression, with Travis Head (39 from 33 balls) providing them a good start before combining with Steve Smith in a vital 50-run partnership. Smith took the innings ahead, building partnerships with Marnus Labuschagne (29) and Alex Carey, who scored a game-defining 61 runs from 57 balls. But India bowlers continued to chip away at wickets, preventing Australia from scoring an insurmountable target.

Mohammed Shami again showed his mettle by bowling a great spell of 3/48, while Varun Chakravarthy (2/49) and Ravindra Jadeja (2/40) supported India's bowling lineup with their spin skills. Hardik Pandya and Axar Patel also chipped in with a wicket each. Australia was finally bowled out for 264 in 49.3 overs, leaving India a tough target of 265 runs.

India's Chase-A Test of Grit and Skill

India's pursuit was not off to the best of starts, losing skipper Rohit Sharma (28) and Shubman Gill (8) early on, leaving them at 43/2. But the consistent Virat Kohli stepped up, playing yet another match-winning innings in an ICC tournament. His association with Shreyas Iyer (45 from 62 balls) helped stabilize the innings, scoring 91 runs for the third wicket.

Kohli also pegged back the chase with some crisp yet short associations—44 for Axar Patel (27 off 30 balls) and 47 for KL Rahul (42* off 34 balls). Hardik Pandya, with a fiery 28 off 24 balls that included three sixes, then came into the picture when the game neared its end to help India seal the match. India had 267/6 in 48.1 overs and thus registered a four-wicket win to reach the final.

Nathan Ellis (2/48) and Adam Zampa (2/60) were Australia's top wicket-takers, but to no avail, as India's resolute run chase was not to be denied.

Cricketing Legends Laud India's Show

After India's incredible victory, social media was filled with congratulatory tweets from cricket greats and analysts. Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Secretary and ICC Chairman Jay Shah shared on X (previously Twitter) the appreciation for the team's team effort, saying, "Well done to India on qualifying for the #ChampionsTrophy Final to be played on March 9 in Dubai. A great team performance against a quality opponent."

Legendary Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar singled out two key players for special praise. "Clinical performance by Team India. Shami set the tone early, and our batters chased with patience. Virat Kohli's knock stood out. All the very best for the final," he posted.

Jasprit Bumrah, who missed the tournament due to injury, summed up the team’s dominant display in a single word: "Unstoppable."

Former Indian opener Virender Sehwag praised Kohli's performance in big-ticket games and recognized India's remarkable feat of reaching their third ICC final in 15 months. "Cometh the hour, cometh the man. The King shines and we make another ICC world cup finals. Simply amazing!" Sehwag tweeted.

Shikhar Dhawan, a veteran Indian cricketer himself, was extremely delighted with the winning shot by KL Rahul. "What an gripping semi-finals match it was. Virat Kohli and Hardik Pandya, both of you were absolutely brilliant, and @klrahul, the last six to get remains etched in our memory. One more win and the Champions Trophy is home!

India's retired all-rounder Yuvraj Singh too expressed his thrill, praising both the batters and bowlers. "Finals here we come! Bowlers did the job with Shami leading from the front & keeping the Aussies in check. Great partnership between Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer handling the pressure and then KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya taking the game away in the end! One step away from glory—let's get it, boys! #INDvsAUS #ChampionsTrophy #CT2025."

Worldwide Acclaim for India's Prowess

It was not only Indian cricketers who were acknowledging India's genius. England's former captain Michael Vaughan was greatly impressed by India's depth of strength in white-ball cricket. He went on to say that India's bench strength is so powerful that they can constitute a second team of the same standard as their first team. "The issue with the rest of the world in white-ball cricket is that India have got another team that is capable of playing and are just as good. The Aussies putting them under so much pressure was an effort with so many missing. It's India's trophy to my mind. #ChampionsTrophy2025," he tweeted.

Looking Ahead to the Champions Trophy Final

With this thumping win, Team India looks ahead to the final, to be played on March 9 in Dubai. The team's string of performances, supported by veteran players and fresh faces, position them well as favorites to win the coveted Champions Trophy. The fans can't wait for the high-octane showdown, hoping to witness the Men in Blue claiming another ICC title.

India's ride in the tournament has been nothing less than spectacular, and if their semi-final heroics are anything to be believed, the final will be an electrifying contest. With the team set to face the ultimate challenge, the backing of fans and cricketing legends will certainly prove to be an added source of encouragement.

One step closer to glory—can India take the moment and win the Champions Trophy again? The world waits with bated breath!