IND vs AUS: Watch - Rohit Sharma power stroke leaves Umpire ducking to save his life

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IND vs AUS: In a thrilling moment during the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 semi-final between India and Australia, Indian skipper Rohit Sharma nearly took out the umpire with a ferocious shot.

The incident, which left on-field official Chris Gaffaney scrambling for safety, showed the sheer power of Sharma's stroke play. The dramatic scene unfolded in the sixth over of India's chase, with Nathan Ellis delivering a length ball to Rohit.

Looking to dominate, the Indian captain played a blistering drive straight down the ground. The ball rocketed past the bowler and headed directly towards the umpire, who had to duck at the last moment to avoid being struck. As the ball raced to the boundary, the intensity of Sharma's shot left commentators and fans stunned.

While the shot created an amusing yet tense moment, it also underlined Rohit's attacking intent in a high-pressure chase. However, his innings was cut short in the eighth over when left-arm spinner Cooper Connolly got the better of him. Rohit, attempting an aggressive stroke, mistimed his shot and was dismissed for 28 runs off 29 deliveries.

At the time of writing this report, India were 82/2 in 16 overs while chasing 285 for a place in the final. With Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer at the crease, India's hopes rested on their ability to build a strong partnership.

Earlier in the match, Australia posted a competitive total of 284 runs after electing to bat first. Despite losing opener Cooper Connolly for a duck, they recovered through crucial contributions from Steve Smith and Alex Carey. Smith led the charge with a solid 73, while Carey added 61 to help Australia reach a respectable total.

For India, veteran pacer Mohammed Shami once again proved his worth with an outstanding spell, picking up three wickets in his full quota of 10 overs. Kuldeep Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah also chipped in with timely breakthroughs, ensuring Australia didn't post an even bigger total.

With the chase underway, all eyes were on India's batting lineup as they looked to secure a place in the final. The match, filled with intense moments, including Rohit Sharma's near-miss with the umpire, was shaping up to be a memorable contest in the tournament.