Virat Kohli scored a composed 84 in a run-chase to guide India into the ICC Champions Trophy final after a four-wicket victory over Australia in Dubai.
Chasing a target of 265, Kohli scored his runs from 98 balls and controlled proceedings in the middle overs on what was a tricky pitch that was not easy to play an attacking shot on.
Kohli received good support from Shreyas Iyer, who hit 45, as the duo added 91 for third wicket after India were reduced to 43-2 in the eighth over after the loss of Rohit Sharma (28) and Shubman Gill (8).
Iyer lost his wicket on the 27th over, while Axar Patel struck 27 but also walked back to the pavilion. India were 178-4 after 35 overs.
KL Rahuk then stuck around and kept Kohli company as the pair put a 47-run partnership that effectively killed off Australia’s chances of defending the total.
Kohli lost as a wicket as the end was in sight but Hardik Pandya made sure the victory was achieved with 28 while Rahul was unbeaten on 42 as India won with 11 balls to spare.
Earlier, Australia were bowled out for 264 in the final over of the innings with captain Steven Smith hitting 73 and Alex Carey stroking a fluent 61.
Those were the only major contributions for the Aussies with Travis Head also hitting 39 and Marnus Labuschagne 29 but nobody went on and converted to a big score after getting in.
Smith seemed like he would go big but was bowled by seamer Mohammed Shami (3-48) just with 13 overs of the innings remaining, just as the batter was looking to accelerate.
Carey struck eight fours and a six in his knock and put on 54 with Smith but was run-out when looking to farm the strike in the closing stages, probably costing Australia the extra 20 runs that they needed.
With India reaching the final, it means the showpiece game will be played in Dubai on Sunday, even though Pakistan is the host country, with New Zealand and South Africa contesting the second semi-final in Lahore on Wednesday.
