DUBAI: India avenged their World Cup final defeat in the Champions Trophy semi-finals. India qualified for the final by defeating Australia by 4 wickets. India chased down the target of 265 runs in 48.1 overs. Virat Kohli was the top scorer with 84 runs. India will face the winners of the second semi-final between South Africa and New Zealand on Wednesday in the final. Since India has qualified, the game for the trophy will be held at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

Chasing a target of 265 runs, India lost opener Shubman Gill's wicket for 8 (11) runs. When the team score reached 43, Rohit Sharma was dismissed for 28 (29). Virat Kohli 84 (98) - Shreyas Iyer 45 (62) put on a 91-run partnership for the third wicket to avert danger. Axar Patel, who came in after Iyer's dismissal, gave Kohli good support with 27 (30). After KL Rahul came in, the team score reached 225 before Kohli was dismissed. The former captain was dismissed for attempting an unnecessary shot. Hardik Pandya was dismissed for 28 runs off 24 balls at the sixth wicket, leaving India just six runs short of victory. KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja remained unbeaten.

Australia, who won the toss and elected to bat first, were all out for 264 in 49.3 overs. Captain Steven Smith and wicketkeeper Alex Carey, who shone with their half-centuries, gave them a fair score. Australia's last six wickets fell while they were adding 66 runs.

With just four runs on the scoreboard, opener Cooper Conley returned for 0(9) giving Shami his wicket. On the other hand, Travis Head, who had struggled to find his usual rhythm, slowly found his rhythm. It seemed that the left-hander would once again give India a headache, but Varun Chakravarthy dismissed the player who scored 39 runs off 33 balls, which was a big relief for India. Marnus Labuschagne was dismissed for 29(36). Josh Inglis returned for 11(12). Glenn Maxwell was clean bowled for 7(5) by Axar.

Steve Smith was clean bowled for 73(96) by Shami. The skipper was out as Australia chased down a huge total of 198 for four in 36.3 overs. Alex Carey then scored 61 (57) to take the team past 250. Ben Dwarshuis scored 19 (29), Adam Zampa 7 (12), Nathan Ellis 10 (7) and Tanveer Sangha not out 1* (1). For India, Mohammed Shami took three wickets, while Varun Chakravarthy and Ravindra Jadeja took two wickets each. Hardik Pandya and Axar Patel took one wicket each.