Many changes of personnel, one simple change of sequence. The World Cup final in 2023 began with Pat Cummins choosing to give Australia’s bowlers the chance to choke out India’s batting. A year and a half later, in the Champions Trophy, Steve Smith as injury substitute decided that a very different Australian team should bat first. Late-career struggles or no, Virat Kohli remains one-day cricket’s greatest chaser. And while a miniature tournament semi-final in Dubai is not an equal trade for a World Cup decider in a packed house at home, there will be partial catharsis for this Indian side beating Australia in a global tournament knockout.

The target was 265, at a ground where scoring in this tournament has been modest, but after an early stutter the pursuit rarely looked a challenge in a win that felt much safer than margins of four wickets or 11 balls. Australia anticipated turn, leaving out left-arm quick Spencer Johnson to bring together leg spinners Tanveer Sangha and Adam Zampa, which left India’s openers wanting to lay into the remaining fast bowlers. Ben Dwarshuis and Nathan Ellis each got dispatched from their second ball of the day, while standing umpire Chris Gaffaney had to hit the deck to avoid a rifled drive.

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