Champions Trophy: Shami, Jadeja, Chakaravarthy Dismiss Australia for 264 in Semifinal
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Synopsis
In the ICC Champions Trophy semi-final, Mohammed Shami took three wickets, while Ravindra Jadeja and Varun Chakaravarthy secured two each, bowling Australia out for 264 runs in 49.3 overs at Dubai International Stadium. Despite Steve Smith and Alex Carey's half-centuries, disciplined Indian bowling kept Australia under control.
Key Takeaways
- Mohammed Shami took three wickets.
- Ravindra Jadeja and Varun Chakaravarthy each claimed two scalps.
- Australia was bowled out for 264 runs.
- Steve Smith scored 73 runs for Australia.
- Alex Carey contributed 61 runs.
Dubai, March 4 (NationPress) Mohammed Shami achieved three wickets while Ravindra Jadeja and Varun Chakaravarthy took two wickets each, leading to Australia's dismissal at 264 runs in 49.3 overs during the ICC Champions Trophy semi-final match at the Dubai International Stadium on Tuesday.
Despite commendable half-centuries from captain Steve Smith and Alex Carey, India's disciplined bowling effort prevented the ODI world champions from surpassing the 300-run mark.
The initial powerplay showcased movement from both Indian bowlers, Shami and Hardik Pandya, allowing India to celebrate early in the match, although Shami dropped Travis Head on the second delivery of the innings.
Shami quickly made amends in his second over by dismissing Cooper Connolly, who fell for a nine-ball duck, caught by KL Rahul.
In the subsequent over, Head made his presence felt, hitting Pandya for a four and a six. After driving one through mid-off, Head further showcased his power with a flick over deep square leg for a six.
Head continued his aggressive approach against Shami, scoring a hat-trick of boundaries to accumulate 14 runs off the over.
With the pacers conceding runs, Rohit Sharma brought Kuldeep Yadav into the attack, who kept the pressure on Head and Smith.
In search of wickets, Rohit introduced Chakaravarthy in the ninth over. The right-arm leg spinner delivered as expected by dismissing Head for 39, who had hit five fours and two sixes. Vice-captain Shubman Gill executed a brilliant catch at long-off, marking India's second wicket.
Marnus Labuschagne joined Smith, and the pair managed to deal effectively with the Indian spinners while keeping the scoreboard ticking. In the 14th over, Smith survived a near-dismissal when an Axar delivery hit the stumps but did not dislodge the bails.
Smith and Labuschagne formed a 56-run partnership, raising the score past the century mark. Jadeja eventually broke this partnership by dismissing Labuschagne (29), trapping him lbw in the 23rd over.
Meanwhile, Smith reached his half-century off 68 balls, marking his 35th in ODIs. Shortly after, he hit Jadeja over long-off for his first six. In the same over, Jadeja dismissed Josh Inglis (11), leaving Australia at 144/4 after 27 overs.
Shami's return to the bowling attack brought another wicket for India as he dismissed Smith for 73. The Australian captain contributed to three partnerships of 50 runs each with Head, Labuschagne, and Alex Carey.
However, Glenn Maxwell failed to deliver and was bowled out by Axar for 7 in the 38th over.
Carey played a composed innings, reaching his half-century off 48 balls, and formed a 34-run partnership with Ben Dwarshuis for the seventh wicket before Chakaravarthy sent Dwarshuis back in the 46th over. Chakaravarthy concluded his 10 overs with figures of 2-49, including the vital wicket of Head.
Shreyas Iyer made a stunning direct hit from the outfield, ending Carey's innings at 61, which included eight fours and a six.
Shami claimed Nathan Ellis (10) in the penultimate over, while Pandya picked up his first wicket by dismissing Adam Zampa (7), bowling Australia out for 264 runs with three balls remaining.
Brief scores: Australia 264/10 in 49.3 overs (Steve Smith 73, Alex Carey 61; Ravindra Jadeja 2-40, Mohammed Shami 3-48, Varun Chakaravarthy 2-49) against India.
