In a thrilling World Test Championship final at The Oval, Virat Kohli displayed exceptional resistance against Australia, raising hopes of an extraordinary victory for India.
At stumps, India stood at 164/3, requiring a further 280 runs to achieve a record-breaking total of 444 on the scheduled fifth and final day. Kohli, the star batsman, remained unbeaten on 44, while Ajinkya Rahane provided solid support with an unbeaten 20. Rahane had already made a significant contribution in the first innings with a top-score of 89.
India’s recent dominance over Australia, having won their last four series against them, adds to the anticipation of a potential triumph in south London. However, the task ahead is formidable, with only four teams in the history of Test cricket having successfully chased a target of over 400 in the fourth innings.
Nonetheless, Indian paceman Mohammed Shami expressed the team’s unwavering belief in their ability to win, highlighting their track record of performing well worldwide.
On the other hand, Australia needs just seven more wickets on the final day to secure the World Test Championship, a prestigious trophy that has eluded them so far. This victory would provide them with a boost as they prepare to face England in the upcoming Ashes series.
India’s pursuit got off to an aggressive start with opener Rohit Sharma playing several boundary shots, including a pulled six off Mitchell Starc. However, controversy arose when Shubman Gill fell to a contentious catch taken by Cameron Green, which was referred to the TV official due to the absence of a “soft signal” in the decision-making process. The ruling ultimately favored Australia, leading to passionate reactions from the Indian fans in the crowd.
Rohit continued to attack the Australian pacers along with Cheteshwar Pujara, aiming to surpass their previous loss in the inaugural WTC final. However, Rohit fell to spin when he missed a sweep shot against Nathan Lyon, while Pujara’s aggressive shot selection resulted in a simple catch for wicket-keeper Alex Carey.
Amidst the fluctuating fortunes, Kohli showcased his class by confidently scoring boundaries off Starc, igniting chants of adoration from the fans. Earlier, Australia declared their second innings at 270/8, with left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja accounting for three crucial wickets.
The stage is set for an enthralling final day of the match as India continues their pursuit of a historic victory while Australia seeks to secure the elusive World Test Championship title.
