Australia rode on the back of Steve Smith’s anchoring knock of 73 and Alex Carey’s rapid fire 61 to set India a formidable target of 265 with a place in the Champions Trophy Final at stake, in Dubai on Tuesday. In response, Rohit Sharma got the Asian contingent off to a flying start with a boundary and a maximum in the first two overs, eerily similar to his blistering start in the 2023 ICC ODI World Cup final. And much like that fateful day, the Men in Blue skipper launched one straight in the air in the powerplay but while Travis Head had pulled off a blinder on November 19, destiny ensured March 4 was going to turn out differently.
On the final ball of the third over, Rohit tried to loft Ben Dwarshuis down the ground but the bat turned in his hand and the Kookaburra soared into the Dubai sky with Marnus Labuschagne at mid-off chasing after it. Much like Head on that day, the top-order batter put in a sparing dive too with hopes of the white rock sticiking in his outstretched palms but he did not have the luck or skill in his teammate and the ball popped out of the hands to hit the deck, rendering Rohit safe.
Considering how the 38-year-old’s wicket had proved to be the game changing moment in taht World Cup final, the Indian contingent on Twitterati breathed a sigh of relief while their Down Under counterparts were distressed.
Flashback
Respect
Respect for Marnus Labuschagne 🙌 pic.twitter.com/Iot78gXPwW
— Niik (@Niiki099) March 4, 2025
Marnus Labuschagne ne almost 19th November 2023 repeat kar diya tha. Relax Rohit Sharma bhai 😭
Thank God it wasn’t Travis Head running after the ball. Rohit survives.— Mohan (@ImMohan22) March 4, 2025
Dropped
Lucky
Marnus Labuschagne drops Rohit Sharma.#ChampionsTrophy2025 #INDvsAUS pic.twitter.com/regY7v2qCF
— Syed Saad (@s_saad2004) March 4, 2025
Marnus Labuschagne almost gave us the flashback of 19 Nov catch 🥲#INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/MybeyJFKZn
— Mahak Maheshwari (@Mahakbhansali13) March 4, 2025
WOW
Inches away
marnus labuschagne remind us 2023 World Cup final match 😭😭😭
Really God Gave another Chance to ROHITH Sharma 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/GLHNDM5Zjp— 🔱🚩YATNAL HINDU SENE 🚩🔱 (@yathnalabhimani) March 4, 2025
Marnus Labuschagne was about to create the 2023 WC final dismissal which Travis head did
And both against Rohit Sharma😮😮😮#INDvsAUS pic.twitter.com/mv5qRpNcxd— Troll Haters (@It_s_Aditya) March 4, 2025
Sad
