India, led by Rohit Sharma, delivered a commanding performance in the ICC Champions Trophy semifinal, defeating Australia in a match that felt like sweet revenge for their 2023 ODI World Cup final loss. For over a decade, Australia had been India’s biggest challenge in ICC knockout games, but this time, India turned the tables in style.
The high-voltage clash had cricket fans hooked from start to finish, with millions tuning in to watch the action unfold. The intense rivalry and India’s dominant win made it one of the most-watched matches in recent history, setting a new viewership record on digital streaming platforms.
A High-Stakes Battle
The much-anticipated semifinal unfolded at the Dubai International Stadium, with Australian skipper Steve Smith winning the toss and choosing to bat first. Despite an early setback, Smith and Alex Carey steadied the innings with crucial half-centuries, guiding Australia to a competitive total of 264. India’s pace spearhead, Mohammed Shami, was the standout bowler, picking up three vital wickets.
In response, Team India put on a commanding show with the bat. Virat Kohli led from the front, anchoring the chase with composure and class. With 11 balls to spare, India sealed the win by four wickets, booking their place in the final and avenging their past ICC knockout losses against Australia.
Record-Breaking OTT Viewership
The India vs Australia semifinal shattered digital streaming records, drawing an incredible 669 million (66.9 crore) viewers live on Jio Hotstar. This staggering number makes it one of the most-watched cricket matches ever on a streaming platform.
Media reports highlight how this milestone surpasses previous records. For instance, the Border-Gavaskar Test series in Australia had 192.2 million viewers, but this semifinal saw a massive 76% surge in viewership, as reported by Business Standard.
Other key matches from the tournament also saw record-breaking numbers:
- India vs New Zealand (Group Stage): 400 million (40 crore) viewers
- India vs Pakistan (February 23): 602 million (60.2 crore) viewers
With such incredible engagement, this Champions Trophy is proving to be one of the most-watched cricket tournaments ever.
Jio Hotstar’s Subscription Plans
Jio Hotstar offers two types of subscriptions:
- Ad-supported plan: ₹149 for three months, ₹499 for an annual subscription.
- Premium plan: ₹299 per month, ₹499 for three months, and ₹1,499 per year. This plan provides an ad-free experience, along with access to live matches, movies, and exclusive content.