Tension was high inside the Team India dressing room as the semi-final match against Australia entered the final two overs. As the players looked tensed, Virat Kohli looked din quite jovial mood as Men In Blue were closing in on victory.
The BCCI released dressing room footage from moments before India knocked out Australia in the Champions Trophy semi-final. Virat Kohli looked in a rather jovial mood compared to a nervous Rohit Sharma as Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul were helping Team India close in on victory.
Following Hardik's wicket, Ravindra Jadeja walked towards the ground that is when Kohli is seen telling Rohit: "Maarne to chhakka hi ja raha hai woh" (he is going in intending to hit a six)."
KL Rahul smashed Glenn Maxwell for six in the first ball of the penultimate over to help Team India cross the finish line. The shot saw Indian players burst into jubilant celebration in the dressing room, with Kohli, Mohammed Shami and Hardik hugging each other. Rohit, who finally had a smile on his face, was also hugged by Kohli.
Team India complete revenge against Australia
The dressing room turned into a cauldron of emotions as India avenged their 2023 ODI World Cup final heartbreak. After being asked to bowl first, Team India bowlers restricted Australia to a modest total of 264 on a sluggish Dubai surface.
When it came to the chase, Kohli displaying calmness under pressure. India lost openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill early, but Kohli's composed knock (84 runs of 98 balls) anchored the innings even though he missed out on century. Kohli hit just five boundaries in his innings in which he even lot of singles and doubles.
India's dominant win booked their spot in the final, where they will face either South Africa or New Zealand on Sunday, March 9, in Dubai. The second semi-final between South Africa and New Zealand will take place in Lahore on Wednesday, March 5.