KOLKATA — Virat Kohli produced another masterclass in chasing, smashing an unbeaten 89 off 62 balls as India chased down Australia's 284 with three wickets and seven balls to spare at a packed Eden Gardens, securing a thrilling victory that books India's place in the World Cup semifinals.
The win, watched by over 90,000 fans in the stadium and millions worldwide, sets up a mouth-watering semifinal clash against New Zealand in Mumbai on April 8. Australia, despite a fighting total, will head home after a group-stage exit for the first time since 2019.
Match Scorecard
Kohli masterclass seals the chase
Chasing 285, India lost early wickets — Rohit Sharma (12), Shubman Gill (8), and Shreyas Iyer (14) falling cheaply as Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins applied early pressure. At 87 for 4, the crowd fell silent. But Kohli, joined by KL Rahul (47 off 56), steadied the ship with a 98-run partnership that shifted momentum decisively.
Rahul's dismissal in the 38th over brought Ravindra Jadeja to the crease. The all-rounder played a composed cameo of 31 not out off 24 balls, rotating strike expertly and finding the boundary when needed. Kohli, nearing his 51st ODI century, remained unbeaten on 89, hitting the winning boundary through covers to trigger deafening celebrations.
Australia's innings: Head, Carey shine
Earlier, opting to bat first, Australia posted 284 for 7. Travis Head (78 off 85) and Mitchell Marsh (44 off 38) provided a flying start. After Marsh's dismissal, Steven Smith (32) and Marnus Labuschagne (28) consolidated, but Indian spinners — Kuldeep Yadav (2 for 48) and Ravindra Jadeja (1 for 42) — kept things tight. Alex Carey's late flourish (52 off 38) propelled Australia past 280, a total that seemed competitive on a slowing Eden Gardens surface.
What this means for the tournament
India finishes top of Group A with 14 points, advancing alongside New Zealand. The semifinal lineup is now confirmed:
- Semifinal 1 (April 8, Mumbai): India vs New Zealand
- Semifinal 2 (April 9, Lahore): South Africa vs England
- Final (April 13, Ahmedabad): Winners meet at Narendra Modi Stadium
For Australia, the loss marks a disappointing end to a campaign that promised much but delivered inconsistency. Captain Pat Cummins admitted, "We were 15-20 runs short. Kohli showed why he's the best chaser in the game."
Fan frenzy at Eden Gardens
The atmosphere at the iconic Kolkata venue was electric from the first ball. Chants of "Kohli, Kohli" echoed through the stands as the chase progressed. When Jadeja hit the winning runs, fireworks lit up the night sky. Fans spilled onto the streets across the country, celebrating a victory that keeps India's World Cup dream alive on home soil.
India now faces a stiff test against New Zealand — a team that has haunted them in ICC knockouts, including the 2019 semifinal and 2021 World Test Championship final. But with Kohli in sublime form and the home crowd behind them, the Men in Blue will enter the semifinal as favorites.
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