Shreyas Iyer’s Stunning Direct Hit Ends Alex Carey's Dangerous Knock

Australia’s wicketkeeper-batter Alex Carey batted like a dream in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 semi-final against India in Dubai on March 4 and could have done more damage in the last three overs if not for Shreyas Iyer’s stunning direct hit to cut his innings short.

On a tricky Dubai surface, the left-hander batted with some authority from the start and kept the Indian bowlers on their toes. Australia were 144/4 in 27 overs when Carey walked out to bat, and the 33-year-old added 54 runs for the fifth wicket alongside skipper Steve Smith (73 off 96).

Carey brought up his fifty off 48 deliveries and was starting to look more and more dangerous. Australia were 248/7 at the end of 47 overs, and Carey could have easily taken them past 280 in the next three overs.

Hardik Pandya came on to bowl the 48th over and started the spell with his traditional slower ball into the deck. Carey worked it to backward of square and wanted the strike back, and Adam Zampa responded to the call.

Iyer, however, charged from deep backward square leg, picked up the ball with his right hand and sent in a fiery throw towards the striker’s end. Wicketkeeper KL Rahul saw the ball coming towards him and knew it would hit the stumps, therefore didn’t put his gloves in between.

Carey was well short of his ground and had to go back after scoring 61 off 57 deliveries. Australia could only manage 15 runs after his dismissal and were bowled out for 264 in 49.3 overs.