WTC Final 2023: Kohli standing in the way of Australia’s victory, India need 280 runs
London. A confident Virat Kohli stands between the World Test Championship mace and Australia, with India needing 280 runs to create history by winning the final as the visitors are in for some thrilling cricket on the fifth and final day. At the end of the fourth day’s play, Kohli scored 44 runs in 60 balls and Ajinkya Rahane scored 20 runs. Chasing the target of world record 444 runs for victory, India have scored 164 runs for three wickets. The highest fourth innings target in Test cricket has been 418 which has been successfully achieved while the record at this ground is 263.
India lost the wickets of Shubman Gill (18), skipper Rohit Sharma (43) and Cheteshwar Pujara (27). At one stage, India’s score was 93 for three in the 31st over. Earlier, Australia declared the second innings at a score of 270 runs for eight wickets. Alex Kari scored 66 off 105 balls and Mitchell Starc scored 51 off 47 balls. Both shared a 93-run partnership in 120 balls for the seventh wicket. It is a matter of relief for the Indians that Kohli and Rahane did not face any problem in playing the Australian bowlers. Kohli used his strong wrists to play excellent shots over mid-wicket and mid-on.
Indian captain Rohit Sharma (22 not out) and Shubman Gill (18) faced Cummins and Scott Boland with confidence. Just before tea, however, on a bouncy ball from Boland, Gill was caught by Gully to Cameron Green. Green made a diving catch although replays showed it was a very close affair as the ball was very close to the ground. Rohit brought excitement to the Indian crowd by hitting the second ball of Starc for a six over fine leg. Nathan Lyon gave India another blow by dismissing Rohit lbw in the 20th over. Rohit also took DRS but the decision was in favor of the bowler. After this, Pujara was caught behind the wicket by playing an unconventional shot off Cummins.
Rahane, who suffered a finger injury while batting in the first innings, did not field as a precautionary measure but came out to bat at number five. Earlier, Pat Cummins announced the end of Australia’s second innings after his wicket fell but before that added 69 runs in 87 balls. India took two wickets in the opening session but Australia were 201 for six at lunch to take a total of 374 runs. Australia had to work hard in the morning session to score 78 runs in 26 overs. Alex Kari scored 41 runs in 61 balls while Mitchell Starc is playing for 11 runs. The pitch is helping both the fast bowlers and the spinners in the scorching heat. Australia started playing ahead of 123 runs for four wickets.
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Marnus Labushen lost the wicket in the third over, who scored 41 runs in 126 balls. He was the victim of Umesh Yadav’s ball going out of the off stump on his yesterday’s score. The ball is 44 overs old, with Umesh and Mohammed Shami trying to reverse swing. Ravindra Jadeja took three wickets for 45 runs in 18 overs. He was handed the ball in the eighth over and the strategy worked. He picked up the wicket of Cameron Green, who went forward and got out in the act of playing a defensive stroke.
