Summary

  • India into final with four-wicket win - report

  • Kohli top-scores with 84 in the chase

  • Rohit's side will face SA or NZ in Sunday's final in Dubai

  • Australia 264 all out - Smith hits busy 73; Carey adds 61

  1. Goodbyepublished at 16:40 Greenwich Mean Time 4 March

    Well, that's one finalist confirmed and also, the venue.

    India will find out their opponents tomorrow with hopefully another cracking match in store, as in-form South Africa take on New Zealand, who are looking to bounce back from their defeat by India a few days ago.

    We'll bring you live coverage of that game in Lahore from 9:00 GMT, so make sure you join us. Until then, you can catch up on today's action with Matt Henry's match report from Dubai.

    Bye for now!

  2. Postpublished at 16:37 Greenwich Mean Time 4 March

    Aatif Nawaz
    BBC Test Match Special commentator on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    It is sad and disappointing that the final will not be held in Pakistan. People will have wanted to travel there to watch it. It is crushing for fans to only have Pakistan play one game in the host country!

    We knew the rules before the tournament started, but is it still disappointing. Pakistan have been starved of a huge opportunity.

  3. 'We were very clinical with the bat'published at 16:34 Greenwich Mean Time 4 March

    India captain Rohit Sharma: "Until the last ball is bowled, nothing is certain. That's how this game is. Halfway through the game, we felt like it was a reasonable score and we'd have to bat really bat well to get it because the nature of the pitch was - it didn't allow you to play how you wanted to play.

    "We were very, very clinical with the bat. Yes, we got the runs at the 48th over but I thought we were very calm and composed in our chase."

    On the pitch: "Looked a better batting surface. That has been the nature of the surfaces here, it is very uncertain. The one today played slightly better than the one against New Zealand.

    "It's just about playing good cricket and taking it from there, not reading too much into what the pitch is doing. There are a lot of experienced guys in the group so we leave it up to them to decide what to do out in the middle."

    On having six bowling options: "I really wanted to have six bowling options and have batting until number eight as well. It was a bit of a challenge but when we were putting together the squad, this is something we discussed at length.

    "Credit goes to everyone involved in making that team."

  4. Postpublished at 16:30 Greenwich Mean Time 4 March

    Aatif Nawaz
    BBC Test Match Special commentator on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    There is a huge self assuredness about the way Virat Kohli bats. He doesn't worry about how many fours or sixes he scores, he just adapts his game to the task at hand. He takes his ego out of the equation completely and delivers for the team.

    He has an instinct for the game and is one of the best to ever do it.

  5. 'We lost wickets at crucial times' - Smithpublished at 16:26 Greenwich Mean Time 4 March

    Australia captain Steve Smith: "I thought the bowlers did a really good job. Our spinners squeezed and enabled us to take the game deep. It was tough to rotate the strike at times but I thought everyone did a good job tonight.

    "I think [the pitch] played pretty similar throughout. There was a bit of hold for the spinners, some skid, and there was a two paced-ness to the wicket. It wasn't the easiest of batting conditions.

    "Having said that, we could have put a few more on. We lost wickets at crucial times and if we got 280+, it might have been different. It always felt like we were one wicket too many down."

    On Australia's takeaways from the tournament: "The bowling attack was quite inexperienced but they did a wonderful job throughout. There were glimpses tonight of good stuff. There's some really good cricketers in that changing room."

  6. Postpublished at 16:24 Greenwich Mean Time 4 March

    There were plenty of key moments where Australia couldn't quite take advantage.

    Most significantly, at 198-4 with 13 overs remaining, and Steve Smith set, they had the opportunity to post something close to 300.

    But Smith and Glenn Maxwell departed in consecutive overs, which shifted the momentum completely in India's favour and from there, they were ruthless.

  7. 'I don't think of the milestones, they just happen along the way'published at 16:21 Greenwich Mean Time 4 March

    Player of the match Virat Kohli: "I think it was pretty similar to the other day against Pakistan. For me, it's about conditions, and reacting accordingly. On this pitch it was about partnerships, they're the most important thing. Sometimes you can't execute things how you want to. The conditions tell me how I need to play and I'll change accordingly.

    "My timing, composure at the crease. I was happy hitting ones around. That's when you know you're playing good cricket and that you're in for a good partnership. In today's game and against Pakistan, that's been the most important thing.

    "It's all about pressure. If you go deep into the innings, the opposition usually gives in. It's about controlling your impulses, knowing the number of overs left. You know when you can turn the game around.

    "I'm never focused on them [milestones]. I don't think of the milestones, they just happen along the way to victory. If we win it's a happy dressing room, you look back and you can be happy about what's happened out there. Then put your head down and focus on improving yourself."

  8. Postpublished at 16:18 Greenwich Mean Time 4 March

    Alex Hartley
    Former England bowler on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    There were moments when it could have gone the other way. But ultimately India were always in control. Virat Kohli put the ball along the carpet his whole innings and the one time he didn't, he got out. That was their only real mistake.

    India always knew they had power hitters to take the game deep.

  9. Postpublished at 16:15 Greenwich Mean Time 4 March

    Credit to KL Rahul, as well, who finished unbeaten on 42 from 34 balls including this winning six.

    India are looking close to unbeatable in this tournament so far and will have conditions in their favour on Sunday.

  10. Postpublished at 16:12 Greenwich Mean Time 4 March

    Aaron Finch
    Former Australia captain on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    India were more clinical throughout.

    Australia didn't have that one person to go and get a century. Their partnerships needed to be extended to search for 30 more runs or so. They should still be proud of themselves because this is an Australia side with lots of parts missing.

  11. Postpublished at 16:09 Greenwich Mean Time 4 March

    Virat Kohli anchored the chase with his serene 84, but those two sixes from Hardik Pandya at the end of the 47th over delivered the hammer blow.

    Australia had the opportunity to close in but his 28, which included three sixes in total, took it away from them.

  12. Postpublished at 16:06 Greenwich Mean Time 4 March

    Aatif Nawaz
    BBC Test Match Special commentator on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    India's flawless run continues. What a brilliant performance.

    They have undoubtedly been the best team in this tournament.

  13. INDIA WIN BY FOUR WICKETSpublished at 16:04 Greenwich Mean Time 4 March
    Breaking

    KL Rahul wins it with a six and India reach the Champions Trophy final!

    In the end, they made it look comfortable with 11 balls to spare. Their victory also confirms that the final will be played in Dubai on Sunday.

  14. Ind 261-6published at 48 overs

    Need four from 12 balls

    Nathan Ellis finishes with 2-49 as the batters steal a single, and then scamper an overthrow from a loose throw back to the bowler.

    Glenn Maxwell will bowl what is likely to be the final over.

  15. Postpublished at 16:02 Greenwich Mean Time 4 March

    Alex Hartley
    Former England bowler on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    The damage is absolutely done already. Pandya was trying to win it with a six, but Australia are not celebrating. They know this game is over.

  16. wicket

    WICKETpublished at 47.5 overs

    Hardik c Maxwell b Ellis 28 (Ind 259-6)

    Probably too little too late for Australia - there's barely a celebration as Hardik Pandya is caught at long-on.

    He tries to finish the game in style but picks out Glenn Maxwell. A fantastic cameo, however, to propel India towards victory.

  17. Postpublished at 16:00 Greenwich Mean Time 4 March

    Aatif Nawaz
    BBC Test Match Special commentator on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    Hardik Pandya is delivering the finishing touch that India needed today.

  18. Ind 259-5published at 47.3 overs

    Need six from 15 balls

    What do I know?

    A wide, followed by another club down the ground for four, and Hardik Pandya has played a gem of an innings here.

  19. Ind 254-5published at 47.2 overs

    Nathan Ellis will also complete his spell.

    But those two sixes from Hardik have put India in complete control so they are in no hurry against him.

  20. Postpublished at 15:56 Greenwich Mean Time 4 March

    Alex Hartley
    Former England bowler on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    Two killer blows from Hardik Pandya. The crowd are celebrating already.

    That is the game unless something drastic happens now.