Shreyas Iyer’s Brilliant Fielding Steals Spotlight in ICC Semi-Final

Dubai, United Arab Emirates — Indian cricket star Shreyas Iyer showcased his exceptional fielding skills during the first semi-final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, held against Australia at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on March 4.

Iyer’s impressive direct hit resulted in the dismissal of Australian wicketkeeper-batsman Alex Carey, who was sent packing after a spirited innings of 61 runs off 57 balls. The play unfolded at a crucial moment in the match, with Hardik Pandya bowling the first delivery of the 48th over to Carey. After Carey pulled the ball behind the square, he attempted to take a run. However, Iyer swiftly collected the ball and executed a remarkable throw, hitting the stumps directly and catching Carey short of his ground.

Following the wicket, Iyer celebrated enthusiastically, marking a pivotal moment in the semi-final. His performance not only drew praise from teammates but also placed him in contention for a fielding medal awarded by India’s fielding coach T. Dilip, who honors standout defenders after major matches to keep the squad motivated.

The Australian side had advanced to the semi-finals after a challenging group stage, winning only one of their matches against England, while two others against Afghanistan and South Africa were noted as washed out. Their lone completed match in the tournament showcased a stunning performance against England in Lahore, where Australia successfully chased down a daunting target of 352 runs.

In that group match, England set a formidable total of 351/8, led by opener Ben Duckett‘s stellar 165 runs off 143 balls, supported by Joe Root‘s 68. Despite early setbacks, Australia’s batting lineup recovered with significant contributions from Matthew Short and Marnus Labuschagne, but it was Josh Inglis who emerged as the star of the innings. He produced an unbeaten 120 runs from just 86 balls, securing Australia a five-wicket victory in 47.3 overs, marking the biggest successful run chase in ICC ODI history.

“Our team showed incredible resilience, especially after those early wickets,” Inglis said after the match. “We believed in ourselves, and we knew we could chase anything down.” His remarkable performance earned him the Player of the Match award.