The coveted final of the World Test Championship (WTC) cycle for 2021-23 is underway at the Oval, London with the two finalists Australia and India squaring off. Day 1 saw Travis Head become the first centurion of the WTC Final history. Day 3 saw some for Australia masterclass. Firstly, Steve Smith scored another century and secondly, Travis Head got to his 150-run mark.
In the end, Australia managed 469 runs in the first inning before the Indian bowling contingent could shut them down, taking control of the match. With 4/108, Mohammed Siraj continued to be India’s preferred bowler. At the same time, Mohammed Shami, Shardul Thakur returned off the field with two wickets apiece while Ravindra Jadeja grabbed one. With 163 off 174, Travis Head continued to be the show-stopper for the Australians, and Steve Smith was right behind him with 121 off 268.
Ajinkya Rahane and Ravindra Jadeja led India’s rescue mission
Thanks to its two openers, India got off to a strong start, scoring 30 runs without losing a wicket. However, Rohit was caught on the crease on Pat Cummins’ sixth delivery of the sixth over. The result was that the Indian captain, who had scored 15 runs off of 26 balls, including two fours, left the game cheaply.
Shubman Gill was dismissed for 13 runs off of 15 balls in the subsequent over alone, his knock included two fours. Boland threw an inswinger on the fourth ball of the over, which Gill easily left. His off-stump was smashed by the ball, costing India their second wicket. India were in serious difficulty after only five deliveries as 30 runs for two wickets were scored.
Following the two openers, India’s foremost test player Cheteshwar Pujara was the next to depart after being bowled by Cameron Green. Pujara could only muster 14 out of 25, including two fours. Mitchell Starc soon gave Virat Kohli directions to the pavilion. Kohli also scored 14 off of 31 with two fours.
Despite playing nicely for 48 runs off of 51, Ravindra Jadeja was the next wicket to fall as Nathan Lyon joined the fray. With Ajinkya Rahane at 29* off 71 and KS Bharat at 5* off 14, India finished the day at 151/5, 318 runs behind Australia.
Here’s how fans reacted:
Last day of WTC final tomorrow ?
— Sourav Roy (@roy183sourav) June 8, 2023
Aab bolo 1st batting karni thi overcast condition mei???
— Satya P Singh(spbtctrade) (@spsinghweb) June 8, 2023
Let's laugh at india ????
— ? ? ? (@godvilliers17) June 8, 2023
Rahane and Bharat will show better intent than the likes of Kohli I am sure on that!
— Pooh (@ThodaYehThodaWo) June 8, 2023
Australia win or Draw are the only options left.
Need some help from Rain Gods as well
— KhabriBhai (@RealKhabriBhai) June 8, 2023
We are following on from day 1 only.
— Naveen (@_naveenish) June 8, 2023
Scary scenes again .. wish 3rd day goes on our side .. very difficult but believe in blue
— Nitin jain(Sachinsuperfan) (@NitinSachinist) June 8, 2023
Morning 1 hour India all out this is fact
— Anjali Sharma (@SoniyaS30596864) June 8, 2023
