Gautam Gambhir Defends India’s Dubai-Only Schedule After Semi-Final Victory
In a thrilling semi-final match of the Champions Trophy, India triumphed over Australia by four wickets, prompting head coach Gautam Gambhir to address criticisms surrounding the team’s Dubai-only schedule. After the match, Gambhir dismissed concerns, saying, “What undue advantage? We practice at ICC Academy, where conditions are different from the stadium. Some people are perpetual cribbers; they need to grow up.” His confidence in the team’s preparation remains unwavering as they look forward to the final.
Kohli Shines with a Stellar Performance
Virat Kohli once again demonstrated why he is a cornerstone of India’s batting lineup. Scoring an impressive 84 runs off 98 balls, Kohli led the chase for 265 runs, guiding India to a comfortable finish at 267-6 with 13 balls to spare. This remarkable innings not only secured India’s place in the final but also made Kohli the highest run-scorer in Champions Trophy history, surpassing Shikhar Dhawan. Gambhir praised Kohli’s skills, stating, “Kohli is a phenomenal ODI player, and he plans his innings exceptionally well.”
Bowling Attack Restricts Australia
On the bowling front, Mohammed Shami was the standout performer, taking 3 wickets for 48 runs. Varun Chakravarthy and Ravindra Jadeja also contributed with two wickets each, restricting Australia to 264 runs. Despite solid performances from Steve Smith and Alex Carey, Australia struggled to build momentum, thanks to Shami’s crucial wicket of Smith, which shifted the game’s dynamics.
Looking Ahead: The Final Awaits
With this victory, India advanced to the Champions Trophy final, where they will face either South Africa or New Zealand. As the team gears up for this pivotal match, fans can stay tuned for live updates and scores through platforms like Looffers.com, ensuring you never miss a moment of the action!
