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The semi-final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 between India and Australia at the Dubai International Stadium was a nail-biting encounter, filled with dramatic moments. One of the most talked-about incidents was KL Rahul’s visible frustration after Virat Kohli‘s dismissal, which nearly turned the tide in favour of the Aussies. Kohli, batting in his 80s, was playing a crucial knock and was expected to guide India to victory.
However, in an attempt to accelerate the chase, he misjudged Adam Zampa’s googly, resulting in a soft dismissal. As Kohli walked off, Rahul, who had just started to find his rhythm, looked visibly disappointed and seemingly questioned his partner’s decision to take the risk at such a crucial juncture. Despite this setback, India eventually secured a spot in the final, thanks to Hardik Pandya’s explosive finish.
KL Rahul’s reaction: When Virat Kohli’s shot left him frustrated
At a time when the required run rate was hovering around six runs per over, Rahul took charge of the innings and struck a magnificent six, ensuring India was on track. Just a couple of balls later, Kohli attempted a similar aggressive shot, likely with the intent to bring down the target quickly and move closer to a well-deserved century. However, Zampa cleverly bowled a well-disguised googly outside off, which Kohli failed to read properly. The former Indian skipper ended up lofting the ball straight into the hands of Ben Dwarshuis, leading to his untimely dismissal.
Rahul, who had been steadily constructing a partnership with Kohli, couldn’t hide his frustration and disappointment. As Kohli turned to walk back to the pavilion, Rahul looked at him and exclaimed, “Mai maar raha tha na! (I was hitting it!)”, signaling that Kohli did not need to take the risk at that moment. Rahul’s reaction indicated that he believed Kohli should have stayed at the crease, rotated the strike, and anchored the chase, especially considering th𒈔at he was already well set.
Before Kohli’s dismissal, India had been in control, with Kohli playing a crucial role in building three key partnerships—a 91-run stand with Shreyas Iyer, a 44-run stand with Axar Patel, and finally, a 47-run stand with Rahul. However, with Kohli gone, the matᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚch suddenly became tense, forcing India to rethi🌠nk their approach in the final overs.
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Rahul’s post-match revelation after Champions Trophy 2025 semifinal clash
After India’s thrilling victory, Rahul revealed his planned approach during his partnership with Kohli. Speaking to Star Sports, he shared details about their on-field communication and strategy. “When I walked in and played 10-12 balls, I told him, ‘You’re the batter that needs to go on and be there till the end. Let me try and hit or take one chance per over,”Rahul explained, emphasizing that Kohli was the set batter and needed to anchor the innings𝓀.
He elaborated further, saying, “Even though we only needed six runs per over, the wicket was such that it felt like we needed eight or eight and a half. So, we had to take a chance in every over—either a boundary or a six. I told him, ‘You just focus on rotating the strike and stay there, because if you get out, a new batter will have to come in, and it will be a lot more difficult.’ But yeah, he felt like the ball was in his hitting range, and unfortunately, he couldn’t time it well,”
Despite Kohli’s dismissal, India managed to hold their nerve, thanks toPandya’s explosive hitting in the final overs. His powerful stroke play ensured that India chased down the target and sealed their place in the final of the Champions Trophy 2025. With the team now preparing for the title clash, the lessons from the semi-final wಞill serve as a reminder of the importance of calculated risks in high-pressure chases.
