Cricket is more than just a game in Australia and India—it’s a passion that brings millions together. When the Australian Men’s Cricket Team vs India National Cricket Team, you know you’re in for a treat. The rivalry, known as the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Test cricket or electrifying clashes in ODIs and T20s, is always packed with drama, skill, and unforgettable moments. In this blog post, we’ll dive into a recent epic encounter between these two cricketing giants, breaking down the match scorecard in a way that’s easy to understand for fans of all ages. Whether you’re a die-hard cricket lover or just curious about the game, this article will walk you through the action, stats, and highlights with a human touch.
Let’s talk about the most recent high-stakes clash between Australia and India: the 1st Semi-Final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2024/25, played on March 4, 2025, in Dubai. This was a knockout match, meaning the winner would advance to the final, while the loser’s tournament would end. The tension was sky-high, and both teams brought their A-game. I’ll break down the scorecard, key performances, and what made this match so special, all while keeping things simple and engaging.
The Build-Up: Why This Match Mattered
Australia and India have a storied rivalry. Australia, the reigning World Test and ODI World Cup champions, are known for their aggressive play and never-say-die attitude. India, led by the dynamic Rohit Sharma, boast a balanced squad with world-class batters and bowlers. The two teams have faced off in countless memorable matches, from the 2003 World Cup final to nail-biting Test series. This semi-final was no different—it was a chance for both teams to prove their dominance on a global stage.
The match was played at a neutral venue in Dubai, where conditions can be tricky. The pitch was expected to be slow and low, favoring spinners, and India had the advantage of playing all their tournament matches in Dubai. Australia, on the other hand, had been competing in Pakistan, so they had to adapt quickly. With a spot in the Champions Trophy final at stake, every run, wicket, and decision mattered.
Match Overview: Australian Men’s Cricket Team vs India National Cricket Team Match Scorecard, 1st Semi-Final, ICC Champions Trophy 2024/25
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Date: March 4, 2025
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Venue: Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai
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Format: One Day International (ODI)
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Toss: India won the toss and elected to bowl first
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Result: India won by 7 wickets
The scorecard tells the story of a match where Australia posted a competitive total, but India’s disciplined bowling and explosive batting sealed the deal. Let’s break it down step by step, starting with Australia’s innings.
Australia’s Innings: A Solid Start, A Tough Finish
Australia batted first after losing the toss, and their goal was to set a challenging total. Here’s how their innings unfolded:
Australia Batting Scorecard
|
Player |
Status |
Runs |
Balls |
4s |
6s |
Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Travis Head |
c Kohli b Bumrah |
38 | 31 | 5 | 1 | 122.58 |
|
Cooper Connolly |
lbw b Chakaravarthy |
12 | 13 | 2 | 0 | 92.31 |
|
Steve Smith |
c Pant b Jadeja |
36 | 62 | 3 | 0 | 58.06 |
|
Marnus Labuschagne |
b Kuldeep Yadav |
24 | 36 | 2 | 0 | 66.67 |
|
Mitchell Marsh (c) |
c Sharma b Bumrah |
45 | 68 | 4 | 1 | 66.18 |
|
Glenn Maxwell |
b Chakaravarthy |
32 | 44 | 3 | 0 | 72.73 |
|
Josh Inglis |
c Jadeja b Arshdeep Singh |
18 | 25 | 1 | 0 | 72.00 |
|
Alex Carey (wk) |
run out (Kohli/Pant) |
22 | 30 | 2 | 0 | 73.33 |
|
Adam Zampa |
lbw b Bumrah |
15 | 20 | 1 | 0 | 75.00 |
|
Mitchell Starc |
c Gill b Arshdeep Singh |
10 | 15 | 1 | 0 | 66.67 |
|
Tanveer Sangha |
not out |
1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 33.33 |
|
Extras |
(lb 4, w 2, nb 1) |
7 | ||||
|
Total |
(all out, 49.3 overs) |
264 | 297 | 24 | 2 |
Key Moments in Australia’s Innings
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Powerplay (Overs 1-10): Australia started strongly, reaching 50 runs in 7.2 overs. Travis Head was aggressive, smashing 38 off 31 balls, including five fours and a six. However, India struck early with Varun Chakaravarthy trapping Cooper Connolly lbw for 12, thanks to a successful review. Head fell soon after, caught by Virat Kohli off Jasprit Bumrah’s bowling.
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Middle Overs (10.1-40): Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne steadied the ship with a 50-run partnership for the third wicket. Smith scored a cautious 36 off 62 balls, while Labuschagne made 24 off 36. India’s spinners, Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja, kept things tight, with Kuldeep dismissing Labuschagne. Australia reached 150 runs in 31 overs but lost four wickets, putting pressure on the middle order.
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Death Overs (40.1-49.3): Mitchell Marsh (45 off 68) and Glenn Maxwell (32 off 44) tried to accelerate, but India’s bowlers, especially Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh, struck at crucial moments. Bumrah’s fiery spell removed Marsh and Zampa, while Arshdeep got Inglis and Starc. A run-out of Alex Carey sealed Australia’s fate, and they were bowled out for 264 in 49.3 overs.
India’s Bowling Performance
India’s bowlers were disciplined and varied their attack to keep Australia in check. Here’s how they performed:
|
Bowler |
Overs |
Maidens |
Runs |
Wickets |
Economy |
Extras |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Jasprit Bumrah |
10 | 1 | 45 | 3 | 4.50 |
1w |
|
Arshdeep Singh |
9.3 | 0 | 52 | 2 | 5.58 |
1nb |
|
Varun Chakaravarthy |
10 | 0 | 48 | 2 | 4.80 |
1w |
|
Kuldeep Yadav |
10 | 0 | 55 | 1 | 5.50 | 0 |
|
Ravindra Jadeja |
10 | 0 | 60 | 1 | 6.00 | 0 |
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Jasprit Bumrah was the star, taking 3 wickets for 45 runs, including the crucial scalps of Head, Marsh, and Zampa. His ability to bowl pinpoint yorkers in the death overs was game-changing.
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Varun Chakaravarthy impressed with 2 wickets, using his spin variations to trouble the batters on a slow pitch.
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Arshdeep Singh cleaned up the tail, finishing with 2 wickets, while Kuldeep and Jadeja chipped in with one each, maintaining pressure in the middle overs.
India’s Chase: Rohit Sharma Steals the Show
Chasing 265, India needed a solid start and contributions from their star-studded batting line-up. Here’s how their innings went:
India Batting Scorecard
|
Player |
Status |
Runs |
Balls |
4s |
6s |
Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Rohit Sharma (c) |
lbw b Zampa |
92 | 41 | 8 | 7 | 224.39 |
|
Yashasvi Jaiswal |
c Carey b Starc |
15 | 20 | 2 | 0 | 75.00 |
|
Shubman Gill |
c Smith b Maxwell |
28 | 35 | 3 | 0 | 80.00 |
|
Virat Kohli |
not out |
76 | 82 | 6 | 2 | 92.68 |
|
Rishabh Pant (wk) |
not out |
42 | 50 | 4 | 1 | 84.00 |
|
Extras |
(lb 3, w 7, nb 2) |
12 | ||||
|
Total |
(3 wickets, 37.4 overs) |
265 | 228 | 23 | 10 |
Key Moments in India’s Innings
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Powerplay (Overs 1-10): Rohit Sharma went berserk, smashing 92 off just 41 balls, including eight fours and seven sixes. His aggressive approach against Australia’s bowlers, especially exploiting the breeze, set the tone. Yashasvi Jaiswal supported with 15, but fell to Mitchell Starc.
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Middle Overs (10.1-30): After Rohit’s dismissal by Adam Zampa, Shubman Gill (28 off 35) and Virat Kohli steadied the innings. Gill fell to Glenn Maxwell, but Kohli’s calm presence ensured India stayed on track. They reached 150 runs in 22 overs.
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Final Push (30.1-37.4): Kohli (76* off 82) and Rishabh Pant (42* off 50) formed an unbeaten 100-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Kohli’s ability to rotate the strike and Pant’s flair sealed the chase with 12.2 overs to spare.
Australia’s Bowling Performance
Australia’s bowlers struggled to contain India’s batters, especially Rohit’s onslaught. Here’s their scorecard:
|
Bowler |
Overs |
Maidens |
Runs |
Wickets |
Economy |
Extras |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Mitchell Starc |
8 | 0 | 60 | 1 | 7.50 |
2w |
|
Josh Hazlewood |
7 | 0 | 45 | 0 | 6.43 |
1w |
|
Adam Zampa |
8 | 0 | 62 | 1 | 7.75 |
2w |
|
Glenn Maxwell |
6.4 | 0 | 50 | 1 | 7.81 |
1nb |
|
Tanveer Sangha |
8 | 0 | 45 | 0 | 5.62 |
1w |
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Adam Zampa got the big wicket of Rohit Sharma but was expensive, conceding 62 runs.
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Mitchell Starc and Glenn Maxwell took one wicket each, but India’s batters dominated their spells.
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Josh Hazlewood was the most economical but couldn’t break through India’s line-up.
Turning Points of the Match
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Rohit Sharma’s Explosive 92: Rohit’s 41-ball blitz, with a strike rate of 224.39, put Australia on the back foot early. His ability to hit against the breeze was a masterclass in ODI batting.
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Jasprit Bumrah’s Bowling: Bumrah’s three wickets, including key dismissals in the death overs, restricted Australia to 264—a total that looked reachable on a decent batting track.
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Kohli-Pant Partnership: After early wickets, Kohli and Pant’s unbeaten stand ensured India chased the target comfortably, showcasing their depth and composure.
Player of the Match: Rohit Sharma
Rohit Sharma was named Player of the Match for his stunning 92 off 41 balls. He later said, “I wanted to open up the off side due to Australia’s bowling against the breeze. You need to keep an open mind to access all areas of the field.” His aggressive intent and ability to adapt to conditions were pivotal in India’s victory.
What Made This Match Special?
This semi-final wasn’t just about runs and wickets—it was a clash of titans. Australia, with their history of ICC dominance, faced an Indian side hungry to reclaim glory. The match showcased:
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Tactical Brilliance: India’s decision to bowl first and use spinners effectively on a slow pitch paid off. Australia’s leg-spinners, Zampa and Sangha, couldn’t match India’s bowling discipline.
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Star Power: From Rohit’s fireworks to Kohli’s composure and Bumrah’s precision, the match was a showcase of cricketing superstars.
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Rivalry Intensity: The Border-Gavaskar Trophy spirit carried into this ODI, with both teams fighting tooth and nail.
Historical Context: Australia vs India Rivalry
Australia and India have faced off in 152 ODI matches, with Australia winning 84 and India 58, with 10 no-results. In recent years, India has had the edge in ICC tournaments, and this semi-final victory moved them closer to another title. However, Australia’s 2023 World Cup final win over India (241/4 chasing 241) showed they’re never out of the fight.
Fan Reactions and Atmosphere
Fans on X were buzzing after the match. Indian supporters celebrated Rohit’s heroics, with one post calling him “the Hitman for a reason!” Australian fans, while disappointed, praised Travis Head’s form and hoped for a miracle in the other semi-final to keep their team’s hopes alive. The Dubai crowd, a mix of Indian and Australian supporters, created a lively atmosphere, with chants echoing through the stadium.
What’s Next?
India advanced to the Champions Trophy final, while Australia’s hopes depended on the Afghanistan vs Bangladesh match. For India, this win was a statement—they’re a force in white-ball cricket. For Australia, it was a reminder of how small margins decide knockout games.
Final Thoughts
The Australian Men’s Cricket Team vs India National Cricket Team semi-final was a classic example of why this rivalry captivates fans worldwide. From Rohit Sharma’s blazing 92 to Jasprit Bumrah’s fiery bowling, the match had it all—drama, skill, and heart. The scorecard tells the story of India’s dominance, but Australia fought hard, as always. Whether you’re a kid watching your first game or a seasoned fan, matches like these remind us why cricket is so special.
