India has reached the Champions Trophy cricket final for the third time in a row. Inspired by Virat Kohli's high performance, India defeated Australia by 4 wickets in the first semi-final in Dubai on Tuesday.

While chasing the target of 265 runs, 36-year-old Kohli scored 84 runs. Even though he got out towards the end of the game, after KL Rahul scored an unbeaten 42, India scored 267 runs before 11 balls at the Dubai International Stadium. 

India has become the first team to reach the final three times in a row. Earlier, India reached the final in 2013 and 2017. The Champions Trophy was organized for the first time in 8 years. By winning over Australia, India avenged the defeat in the ODI World Cup final at home in 2023. 

India will compete for the title against the winner of the second semi-final between South Africa and New Zealand in Lahore on Wednesday. The final will be held in Dubai on Sunday. 

India has been playing its matches in Dubai after refusing to go to Pakistan, the venue of the eight-nation tournament. If India did not reach the final, Pakistan's Lahore was kept as an alternative venue for the final. 

Shubman Gill 8 and captain Rohit Sharma were dismissed for 28 runs off 29 balls, but Kohli and Shreyas Iyer shared 91 runs for the third wicket to lead India to the final. Air played 62 balls and scored 45 runs with 3 fours. Player of the match Kohli played 98 balls and hit 5 fours. When Kohli was on 51 runs, Glenn Maxwell's dropped catch cost Australia dearly. 

Akshar Patel was dismissed for 27 runs. But Rahul and Hardik Pandye added 34 runs off 31 balls to remove the pressure on India. Hardik, who got out when India needed 6 runs for victory, scored 28 runs with 1 four and 3 sixes in 24 balls. KL Rahul hit the winning six. He hit 2 fours and a six while playing 34 balls.