IND vs AUS [WATCH]: KL Rahul’s match-winning six sends India to Champions Trophy 2025 final

Cricket is a game of moments—moments that define players, matches, and legacies. On Tuesday (March 04), in the semi-final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 against Australia at Dubai International Stadium, Indian star KL Rahul delivered one such moment. With a towering six off Glenn Maxwell in the 49th over, he sealed a tense chase of 265, guiding India to a 4-wicket victory with 11 balls to spare. It wasn’t just a win; it was a statement—a redemption arc etched in the record books and the hearts of Indian cricket fans.

KL Rahul stands tall in a high-stakes showdown

India, led by Rohit Sharma, faced a familiar foe in Australia—a team that has haunted them in ICC knockout clashes, most notably the 2023 ODI World Cup final. Chasing 265 on a tricky Dubai pitch, India needed composure, grit, and a touch of flair. Enter Rahul, a man who’s been under the microscope, often unfairly labeled as “slow” or “timid” by critics. Dropped to No. 6 in this tournament, he’s had to adapt, reinvent, and deliver—and he did it with style, rising to the occasion.

The chase wasn’t straightforward. Early wickets put India at 43/2, but Virat Kohli’s masterful 84 steadied the ship, supported by Shreyas Iyer’s 45. When Kohli fell with 33 runs still needed, the pressure was palpable. Hardik Pandya’s late cameo of 28, including a pair of sixes off Adam Zampa, brought India within touching distance. But it was Rahul, unbeaten on 42 off 34 balls, who took the game by the scruff of its neck and finished it in style.

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The six that echoed beyond the boundary

With 4 runs needed off 12 balls, Maxwell tossed one up, tempting Rahul to go big. The Karnataka batter danced down the track, met the ball with the meat of his bat, and launched it soaring over long-on. The crowd erupted, the dugout exhaled, and Rahul stood tall—a picture of calm amid the storm. That six wasn’t just the match-winner; it was a defiant answer to every doubter who’d questioned his intent or temperament in crunch situations.

Rahul’s knock wasn’t about reckless aggression. It was calculated, composed, and clutch. He rotated the strike when needed, picked his moments to attack, and switched gears seamlessly—epitomized by a earlier six off Zampa that had signaled his intent. His unbeaten 42 wasn’t the highest score of the innings, but it was the glue that held the chase together when the chips were down.

Here is the video:

KL RAHUL FINISHES OFF IN STYLE!!!!! 🇮🇳

What a moment, what a win as #TeamIndia qualify for the #ChampionsTrophy final for the 5th time! 👏#ChampionsTrophyOnJioStar FINAL 👉 SUN, 9th March, 1:30 PM on Star Sports 1, Star Sports 1 Hindi, Star Sports 2 & Sports18-1!

📺📱 Start… pic.twitter.com/ymcT8TwJdA

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) March 4, 2025

Also READ: Twitter reactions: Virat Kohli shines as India edge out Australia in a nervy chase to qualify for the Champions Trophy 2025 final