For India, Ravindra Jadeja claims the crucial breakthrough in the Champions Trophy semi-final against Australia as he traps Marnus Labuschagne LBW for 29. But Australia’s captain Steve Smith has made a tough nut to crack with three live balls, including a catch and bowled chance dropped. Earlier, Labuschagne and Smith had put together a steady 56 for the third wicket before Smith came off Axar Patel for a six to bring Australia to 100.
Smith had a particularly eventful over against Axar Patel, who had almost run him out. Then, he leaned to look for the bails to avoid a setback, only for them to stay in place. Meanwhile, India’s bowlers have gradually stepped up the pressure by restricting runs, the number of which has increased, as have dotballs.
Introduced to the attack, Varun Chakaravarthy made an immediate impact by dismissing the dangerous Travis Head for 39. In ominous form, Head bestrode the head after striking five boundaries and two sixes, but failed to get past Kuldeep Yadav at long on as his mystery spin did the trick.
But India had earlier taken first blood in the match when Mohammed Shami had removed Cooper Connolly for a duck in the third over. This wicket was some make up for Shami’s missed opportunity when he had dropped Travis Head on the first ball of the match.
India lost its 14th successive toss under Rohit Sharma and his bad luck saw him fail to win the toss in this number. Steve Smith won the toss and elected to bat first for Australia. India brought in an unchanged playing XI as they had in their last game, whereas Australia made two changes: Cooper Connolly stepped in for an injured Matthew Short and Jason Sangha for Spencer Johnson.
It was an even ball game, and India had to break through Smith’s resistance to edge closer to the win.
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