Virat Kohli's Masterclass Takes India to Champions Trophy Final: Steve Smith's Glowing Praise Despite Loss

In a nail-biting semifinal match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, India booked their final spot by outpacing Australia with a measured run chase. Match hero Virat Kohli once again proved his mettle in dealing with pressure moments, leading India to a hard-fought four-wicket win in Dubai. While Australia was left disappointed, their captain Steve Smith had nothing but praise for Kohli, terming him "the best chaser the game has ever seen."

India's Redemption-Overcoming Past Heartbreak

For India, this triumph was more than a victory; it was one of redemption. They had been defeated in the 2023 final two years back by the same opposition in a heart-wrenching loss. This time, though, the brilliance of Virat Kohli prevented history from repeating itself. In chase of a score of 265, India experienced initial setbacks but discovered their bastion in Kohli, whose measured 84-run performance changed the course of the match for India.

Steve Smith’s High Praise for Kohli

Despite the disappointment of his team’s exit, Steve Smith could not help but appreciate Kohli’s phenomenal ability to chase down targets under pressure. In the post-match press conference, he acknowledged the Indian stalwart’s remarkable consistency and game awareness.

"He is, without question, the best chaser in the game. He has done it many times before against us. He manages to dictate the tempo of the game quite well," Smith said.

Grappling with India's patient game in the pursuit, Smith conceded that Australia was only a couple of wickets from being back in command. But valuable input from some of the other Indian batsmen, such as KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya, ensured that the Men in Blue made it to the finishing line untroubled.

A Tale of Two Pitches-Smith on Playing in Dubai and Lahore

Reflecting on the tournament, Smith also spoke about the differences between playing in Dubai and at Pakistan’s Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. He pointed out the stark contrast between the two venues, noting that Dubai’s pitch was slow and two-paced, making stroke-making a challenge.

"This one was very slow, two-paced, took some turn. I think the Gaddafi track is possibly one of the best wickets in the world to bat on for a one-day game. The ball skids along nicely, the outfield is as fast as lightning, and yeah, there are definitely differences there," he noted.

The Turning Point-Smith's Dismissal and Australia's Struggle

Smith, who was instrumental in steadying Australia's innings, conceded his own dismissal was a turning point. He was dismissed by a full toss from Mohammed Shami, something he accepted he should have taken advantage of.

"My strategy was sort of to try and get the seamers under a bit more pressure and just spin the spin, but I did not do it very well. I clearly lost my wicket at most likely a pivotal moment. If I had batted a bit deeper, we could have possibly got up to near 300 or something," he said.

At the other end, Alex Carey was playing smoothly, and Smith regretted the timing of his dismissal, as it left Australia a little short of their target total.

Australia's Innings-A Competitive 264 Runs

Batting first after winning the toss, Australia lost one wicket early but stabilized through a 50-run partnership between Travis Head (39 from 33 balls) and Steve Smith. Smith went on to form partnerships with Marnus Labuschagne (29 from 36) and Alex Carey, the latter scoring a vital 61 from 57 balls.

Just when Australia seemed poised for a larger total, Shreyas Iyer's stunning direct hit sent Carey back to the pavilion in the 48th over, derailing Australia's momentum. The innings came to an end at 264 in 49.3 overs, with Mohammed Shami spearheading the Indian bowling attack with the figures of 3/48. The spin pair of Varun Chakravarthy (2/49) and Ravindra Jadeja (2/40) also chipped in with crucial performances to keep the Australian batters in check.

India's Chase-Kohli Drives the Boat

India's chase got off to a tenuous start with both Rohit Sharma (28 from 29 balls) and Shubman Gill (8) getting dismissed early, taking the team to 43/2. This was the make-or-break situation, and it was here that Kohli and Shreyas Iyer compiled a match-defining 91-run stand that steadied the innings.

Additional support from Axar Patel (27 off 30) and KL Rahul (42* off 34) kept India's run chase on course. Hardik Pandya then sealed the deal with a scorching 28 off 24 balls, featuring three sixes. The last winning runs were scored in the 49th over, and India won the game at 267/6.

Australia's Bowling Effort

While Australia’s bowlers fought hard, the Indian batters played sensibly to counter their attack. Nathan Ellis (2/48) and Adam Zampa (2/60) were the standout performers, but they could not prevent India from executing their chase successfully.

Conclusion-Kohli’s Legacy as the Ultimate Chase Master

This game only added to the reputation of Virat Kohli as one of the best chasers in cricket history. His power to take pressure on his shoulders, build innings, and gain momentum at the appropriate times makes him a powerful batsman. Even in a losing cause, Steve Smith's words went to his white-ball cricket dominance.

With India in the final of the Champions Trophy 2025, the cricket fraternity waits with bated breath for yet another masterclass by Kohli as he hopes to guide his side to another ICC trophy. If he wins the trophy or not, his legacy as a chase master is never in doubt.