Pat Cummins’ Australia clinch the World Test Championship Final against India to deservedly crown themselves at the summit of red-ball cricket. The Aussies add the only missing silverware to their glorious trophy cabinet, becoming the only team to have won all four major ICC tournaments. It was Scott Boland’s double-wicket over in the first hour of the play that led the foundation for Australia’s resounding victory on the fifth day.
Rohit Sharma’s men headed into the fifth and final day of the summit clash with their hopes firmly placed on the senior batting duo of Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane. But catastrophe struck for the Indians when former skipper Kohli’s tendency to flirt with wide deliveries cost him dearly. He was sent back by a menacing Scott Boland after a stunning catch from Steve Smith at second slip.
The Asian Giants slipped further in the match after Boland got rid of star all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja with a peach of a delivery for a duck in the very same over. The twin strikes punctured India’s slim hopes of getting over the line in the WTC Final. Meanwhile, unperturbed by the two dismissals, Rahane kept the scoreboard ticking with some glorious shots. India had begun the last day of a see-sawing WTC decider needing a further 280 runs with seven wickets in hand to reach their distant target of 444, but the loss of two crucial batters in the blink of an eye inside the first hour put paid to that unlikely dream.
They were bowled out six minutes after the scheduled time for lunch on day five for 234 when last man Mohammed Siraj fell to ungainly reverse sweep off Nathan Lyon, completing a collapse in which they lost 7-55 from 23.3 overs today. It was a deserved triumph for Pat Cummins’ team who had been a dominant force in Test cricket over the two-year qualification period for the final, and were in charge for much of the preceding four days except for the opening session when India’s decision to bowl first seemed prudent.
In the end, it was the solidity of Australia’s batting and their potency with the ball at crucial times that proved the difference, although India had begun the final day holding bold hopes a miracle would be delivered. However, the course of the final day altered irrevocably due to Boland’s fourth over. It began against the backdrop of rousing ‘Kohli, Kohli’ chants as India’s talisman charted a watchful path on resumption, collecting just five singles from the first 15 balls faced as the former captain portrayed a picture of studied solidity.
But signs the tempo might be changing emerged on the first ball of Boland’s pivotal over, which nipped away from the right-hander’s proffered bat just enough to beat the outside edge. So close, in fact, that Marnus Labuschagne stationed in front of point was convinced it had grazed the blade and convinced his captain it was worth further explanation. The grin on Kohli’s face as Australia burned the first of their three available reviews made the outcome glaringly apparent before it had been dismissed by third umpire Richard Kettleborough.
Gill’s Catch Controversy in World Test Championship Final🏏
there was a controversial incident involving Shubman Gill and Cameron Green. Gill was dismissed by Green at gully, but replays showed that the ball may have touched the ground before Green completed the catch. The third umpire, Richard Kettleborough, ruled Gill out, but the decision was met with controversy from many quarters. Some people argued that the ball did touch the ground, and that Green should not have been given the catch. Others argued that even if the ball did touch the ground, Green had complete control of it before it did so, and that he was therefore entitled to the catch.
The controversy surrounding Gill’s dismissal was a major talking point after the day’s play, and it is likely to be debated for some time to come. It is one of those rare occasions in cricket when the decision of the third umpire was not clear-cut, and there is no easy answer to the question of whether or not Green should have been given the catch. Ultimately, the decision of the third umpire is final, and Gill must accept that he was out.
However, the controversy surrounding his dismissal is likely to linger for some time, and it is a reminder that even in the modern era of cricket, there are still some grey areas when it comes to the laws of the game.
Ajinkya Rahane the lone fighter for India in WTC Final🏏
Rahane’s innings was a valiant effort, but it was not enough to prevent India from losing the match. However, it showed his fighting spirit and his ability to perform under pressure. He will be hoping to lead India to victory in the upcoming Test matches, and would be looking to score big runs in the process. Rahane’s innings was a reminder of his class and his importance to the Indian team. He is a proven performer in Test cricket, and he is one of the few batsmen in the Indian team who can bat for long periods of time.
Ajinkya Rahane showed great composure with the bat in the WTC final 2023. He scored 89 runs in the first innings, which was highest by an Indian batsman in the World Test Championship Final 2023. Rahane’s efforts were not enough to prevent India from losing the match, but they showed his fighting spirit and his ability to perform under pressure. Rahane’s partnership with Virat Kohli was particularly important. The two batsmen put on 96 runs for the second wicket, which helped India to recover from a poor start. Kohli was dismissed for 49 runs, but Rahane continued to bat with great application.
Rahane played some excellent shots during his innings. He was particularly good at driving the ball through the off side, and he also hit a few sixes over the long-on boundary. He was also very patient, and he waited for his opportunities to score runs. Rahane’s innings was a key factor in India avoiding the follow-on. They were in trouble at 152-6, but Rahane and Thakur put on a valuable partnership that helped them to reach 296 all out.
Rahane’s partnership with Thakur was also very important. Thakur played a very aggressive innings, and he scored 51 runs off 109 balls. He hit a number of fours and sixes, and he helped Rahane to rotate the strike and build a partnership.
Rahane and Thakur’s partnership was a great example of how two batsmen can work together to overcome a difficult situation. They showed great composure and determination, and they helped India to avoid the follow-on.Rahane’s innings was a reminder of his class and his importance to the Indian team. He is a proven performer in Test cricket, and he is one of the few batsmen in the Indian team who can bat for long periods of time. He will be hoping to lead India to victory in the next Test match, and he will be looking to score big runs in the process.
What went wrong for team India in WTC 2023🏆
There were a number of factors that contributed to the loss of team India at the World Test Championship Final 2023.
Batting Collapse– India’s batting collapse in the first innings was particularly puzzling. They were bowled out for just 244, and their top four batsmen were all dismissed for single-digit scores. Rohit Sharma (15), Shubman Gill (13), Cheteshwar Pujara (14), and Virat Kohli (14) were all dismissed cheaply, and India were in trouble at 71-4. There were a number of reasons for India’s batting collapse. One reason was poor shot selection. The Indian batsmen were too eager to score runs, and they played a number of rash shots that resulted in their dismissal. Another reason was lack of application.
The Indian batsmen did not seem to be focused on the task at hand, and they made a number of basic mistakes. Australia’s bowlers also played a role in India’s batting collapse. They bowled with discipline and accuracy, and they made it difficult for the Indian batsmen to score runs. Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and Josh Hazlewood all bowled well, and they took wickets at regular intervals.ndia’s batting collapse in the first innings put them in a difficult position, and they were never able to recover. They were bowled out for 232 in their second innings, and Australia won the match by 209 runs.
India’s batting collapse was a major disappointment, and it will be something that they will need to address if they want to be successful in Test cricket. They need to improve their shot selection, their application, and their discipline. They also need to find a way to counter Australia’s bowling attack.
Ineffective Bowling in the Final
India’s bowling was ineffective in the WTC final 2023. They were unable to take wickets at regular intervals, and they allowed Australia to score freely. This was due to a combination of factors, including poor line and length, lack of discipline, and good batting from Australia. India’s bowlers struggled to find the right line and length throughout the match. They were too often either too short or too full, and they allowed Australia’s batsmen to score freely off the back foot. They also lacked discipline, and they bowled too many loose deliveries. This allowed Australia’s batsmen to score runs easily, and it also put pressure on the Indian bowlers.
Australia’s batsmen also played well. They were patient and disciplined, and they waited for their opportunities to score runs. They also took advantage of India’s poor bowling, and they scored freely throughout the match. India’s ineffective bowling was a major factor in their loss to Australia. They were unable to put pressure on Australia’s batsmen, and they allowed them to score freely. This gave Australia the upper hand in the match, and they eventually won by 209 runs.
India’s bowlers will need to improve their line and length, their discipline, and their execution if they want to be successful in Test cricket. They also need to find a way to counter Australia’s batting lineup. India has a talented bowling attack, but they need to learn from their mistakes and come back stronger in the next Test match.
Australia’s Bowling Attack
In addition to their pace, Australia’s bowlers also bowled with discipline. They were able to bowl to good lines and lengths, and they were patient in their approach. This allowed them to build pressure on the Indian batsmen, and it eventually led to their downfall. Australia’s bowlers were able to bowl with accuracy and discipline because they had a clear plan of attack. They knew that the Indian batsmen were vulnerable to balls that were just outside off stump, so they bowled a lot of those deliveries. They also knew that the Indian batsmen were not comfortable against short-pitched bowling, so they used that to their advantage.
Australia’s bowlers were also able to bowl with accuracy and discipline because they were fit and fresh. They had a good lead-up to the final, and they were able to execute their plans without getting tired. Overall, Australia’s bowlers bowled with accuracy and discipline in the final. They were able to get the Indian batsmen out cheaply, and they were a major factor in Australia’s victory.
Boland was a surprise selection for Australia in the final. He had only played 13 Test matches before the final, and he had taken 28 wickets at an average of 13.42. However, Australia’s captain, Pat Cummins, was confident that Boland could be effective against the Indian batsmen. Boland started the final well. He took the wicket of Shubman Gill in the first over of the match, and he also dismissed Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane.
He helped to restrict India to a low score in the first innings, and he also took two wicket in the second innings. Boland’s performance in the final was a major boost for Australia, and it showed that he could be a valuable asset to the team in the future. The way he set up Virat Kohli’s wicket was heartbreaking for the Indian Cricket fans.
Pitch in the WTC Finals 🏆
The pitch was very dry and dusty, which made it difficult for the Indian batsmen to get their eye in. The pitch offered a lot of turn and bounce, which made it difficult for the Indian batsmen to score runs. The Australian bowlers were able to exploit the conditions and bowl India out for 294 and 336. The pitch was definitely a factor in India’s loss. It was not a fair contest, and it was disappointing to see the ICC allow such a pitch to be used in a World Test Championship final. Cricket greats criticized the Oval Pitch and said it wasn’t up to the mark for an WTC Final !!!
India’s performance in the WTC final against Australia in 2023 was disappointing. They were comprehensively outplayed by the Australians in all departments of the game. India’s batting was the biggest letdown. They were bowled out for 296 and 334 in their two innings. None of their batsmen were able to score a big score. Rahane top-scored with 89 in the first innings, but no other Indian batsman reached 50. The Indian bowlers also struggled. They were unable to take early wickets and allowed Australia to build a big first-innings lead. Siraj took four wickets in the first innings for team India.
India’s fielding was also poor. They dropped several catches and gave away a lot of runs in extras. In the end, Australia won the match by 209 runs to claim the World Test Championship title. India’s performance was a major disappointment and they will need to do a lot of work if they want to be considered contenders for the next World Test Championship. Despite the loss, India remains a very strong Test side. They have a world-class batting line-up and a bowling attack that is capable of taking 20 wickets. However, they will need to learn from their mistakes in the WTC final if they want to be successful in the future.
Twitter Reactions of Australia winning the WTC Final 2023🏏
As an Indian cricket fan, I was devastated when India lost to Australia in the WTC final. I had been following the team’s progress throughout the match, and I was confident that they would win. However, Australia’s bowlers were simply too good for India’s batsmen, and the home side deservedly won the match. I was disappointed, but I was also proud of the way India played. They fought hard throughout the match, and they never gave up. I know that they will be back stronger next time, and I can’t wait to see them compete again😎
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