World Test Championship final finely poised after India batsmen defy Aussie bowlers

10.06.2023 - 20:09 thenationalnews.com

Virat Kohli defied Australia on Saturday to give India hope of an extraordinary win in the World Test Championship final at The Oval.

India were 164-3 at stumps, still needing a further 280 runs to reach what would be a record-breaking total of 444 on Sunday's scheduled fifth and final day.

Star batsman Kohli, however, was 44 not out, while Ajinkya Rahane was unbeaten on 20 after he had already marked his first Test in over a year by top-scoring with 89 in India's first-innings 296.

The scale of India's task was emphasised by the fact that only four teams in 146 years of Test cricket have made more than 400 to win in the fourth innings, with the West Indies' 418-7 against Australia at St John's in 2003 the highest such total.

Australia Cricket India Cricket Test Scott Boland Cameron Green Mitchell Starc Virat Kohli Rohit Sharma Richard Kettleborough Australia India

The World Test Championship final is always slated after two months of IPL and there is a school of thought that BCCI should speak to IPL franchises in order to monitor workload of players. Former BCCI president and ex-India captain Sourav Ganguly, who has been on both sides of the fence feels it is not a practical solution. "I don't agree with this theory. Ajinkya Rahane also played IPL and he played very well during IPL and World Test Championship final. So I don't believe in this theory. Some of the Australian boys (Cameron Green, David Warner), played well in IPL also and did well in World Test Championship," Ganguly told PTI.

"It Will Take Us To...": Harbhajan Singh On Rohit Sharma's Suggestion Of 3 Finals For World Test Championship

Following India's loss to Australia in the summit clash of World Test Championship, skipper Rohit Sharma backed the idea of three finals for the mega event. In the WTC Final, Australia defeated India by 209 runs in the final to claim their maiden World Test Championship title. The game was dominated by the Pat Cummins-led side for the majority part and India barely had their moments of joy. After the match, Rohit said that a three-match series would be ideal for the next WTC cycle.

India, Australia fined heavily for slow World Test Championship over rates

India have been fined 100 percent and Australia 80 percent of their match fees for slow over rates in the World Test Championship final, the International Cricket Council said Monday.

Aaron Finch Picks 'Difference Maker' For Australia In WTC Final. It's Not India's Batting Failure

Former Australia white-ball skipper Aaron Finch believes the 285-run first innings partnership between Steve Smith and Travis Head made the difference in the World Test Championship final against India at The Oval. India finished runners-up for the second consecutive time in the WTC final as Australia clinched the mace with a massive 209-run win on Sunday. India had lost the inaugural edition of WTC final to New Zealand.

Shubman Gill Posts Two-Word Tweet After India's WTC Final Loss Against Australia

India had a forgetful outing with the bat on Sunday as they were bundled out for 234 in the chase of 444 against Australia in the World Test Championship final. India needed 280 on Day 5 with seven wickets in hand but got bowled out even before the first session was completed. Nathan Lyon and Scott Boland were the pick among the bowlers as they took four and three wickets respectively. Australia became the first team to clinch all four ICC titles while India lost another opportunity to clinch their first ICC trophy since 2013.

Australia beat India in World Test Championship final

LONDON: Scott Boland sparked a dramatic collapse as a dominant Australia hammered India by 209 runs to win the World Test Championship final at The Oval on Sunday.