India’s hopes of ending their drought in ICC events lie on the shoulders of senior batters Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane as the World Test Championship Final moves into a compelling Day 5. Australia are still the favourites to claim the title after setting a daunting target, but with Kohli at the crease, India can dare to dream.
The day started with Australia losing star batter Marnus Labuschagne without adding to his overnight score. The Indian pacers were on song in the morning session and were looking to make quick work of the Australian lower-middle order.
However, a determined Cameron Green and Alex Carey thwarted the Indian bowlers to great effect after Labuschagne’s departure. The duo were frustrating the Indian bowlers only for Ravindra Jadeja to trap Green in a cunning plan on the stroke of Lunch.
But the Australian pair of Carey and Mitchell Starc opened their shoulders after the break as the Aussie targeted quick runs before calling off their innings. Starc was in a punishing mood and played some glorious shots against a tired Indian bowling unit, while Carey registered a brisk half-century from the other end.
Starc and skipper Pat Cummins’ departure in quick succession meant that the Aussies declared their innings, setting India a daunting target of 444 runs. Despite the prospect of scaling a record-breaking total, Indian openers started the chase on a strong note.
Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane see off the final session without any fuss
However, a controversial catch saw the end of Shubman Gill’s stay in the middle. Despite the loss of Gill, Rohit Sharma continued to plunder the Aussie bowlers with some of his trademark shots. He was accompanied well by middle-order bulwark Cheteshwar Pujara, only for the introduction of spin to derail the Indian skipper’s innings.
Pujara also fell in the very next over as Australia started to pile the pressure on the Indian batters. Former Indian skipper Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane have steadied the ship after the twin strikes as India head into the fifth day with a monumental task on their hands.
🔎🔎🤦🏻♂️ pic.twitter.com/pOnHYfgb6L
— Shubman Gill (@ShubmanGill) June 10, 2023
If India can find a way to for Lyon to go at 5’s.. lose max 1 more wicket until the 2nd new ball.. u never know
— AB de Villiers (@ABdeVilliers17) June 10, 2023
My gut feeling says @BCCI and win this final, @ImRo45 @imVkohli @ajinkyarahane88 @imjadeja will be the key points for them to win this game, will wait and see, and hope we can watch and witness one of the great finals. pic.twitter.com/HHtxRLUmJN
— Dhammika Prasad (@imDhammika) June 10, 2023
Can we please rename the Natraj shot as Rohit Sharma shot?!👌🏾 #AUSvIND
— Shikha Pandey (@shikhashauny) June 10, 2023
Third umpire while making that decision of Shubman Gill.
Inconclusive evidence. When in doubt, it’s Not Out #WTC23Final pic.twitter.com/t567cvGjub
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) June 10, 2023
Shocking Decision by third umpire..It wasn’t a clear catch of @ShubmanGill
— Kamran Akmal (@KamiAkmal23) June 10, 2023
Third umpire watching the replay before pressing out 🤦 #WTCFinal pic.twitter.com/ZTFeGsihpC
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) June 10, 2023
That’s Stumps on Day 4 of #WTC23 Final!
We have an action-packed Day 5 in store tomorrow! #TeamIndia reach 164/3 and need 280 more runs to win, with @imVkohli & @ajinkyarahane88 at the crease 👌🏻👌🏻
Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/0nYl21oYkY pic.twitter.com/0frfkWrEp0
— BCCI (@BCCI) June 10, 2023
Cameron Green was in no doubt when speaking to TMS after play.#WTC23 #BBCCricket pic.twitter.com/TGr1qg8vDo
— Test Match Special (@bbctms) June 10, 2023
🇮🇳 𝗞𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗺 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗮! We go again tomorrow with everything to play for! 💪
Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane wrapped up a brilliant session for us on Day 4! 👏
📷 BCCI • #WTCFinal #WTC23 #INDvAUS #AUSvIND #TeamIndia #BharatArmy pic.twitter.com/IveAt4Czba
— The Bharat Army (@thebharatarmy) June 10, 2023