WTC 2023 Final: Steve Smith’s stunner ends Virat Kohli’s defiance to dent India’s hopes

Steve Smith and Virat Kohli. (Photo Source: Twitter)

Rohit Sharma led team India went into the fifth day of the World Test Championship Final with the hopes of pulling off a miraculous chase. But their hopes were shortlived as former Indian skipper Virat Kohli departed at the start of the morning session. Former Australian skipper Steve Smith, who did the damage with the bat in the first innings, grabbed a stunning catch in the slip cordon to land a body blow to India’s chances.

India had a mountain to climb on the final day of the summit clash against Australia if they wanted to end their trophy drought in ICC tournaments. However, with Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane looking solid at the crease, there was a glimmer of hope for the Asian giants heading into the fifth day at The Oval.

While all the eyes were on the Indian pair, it was Australian pacer Scott Boland who drew first blood on the day. The sturdy pacer almost had Kohli caught behind on his very first delivery of the 47th over, only for Australia to burn a review in hope more than anything. However, just one delivery later, the Indian batting ace had to walk off the field after Steve Smith grabbed a stunning catch at second slip.

Smith’s milestone moment dash Indian hopes at The Oval

Kohli, who was looking good at the crease, fell just one short of a valiant half-century after he was tempted to play a wide delivery from Boland. As if Kohli’s departure wasn’t a significant setback, the Asian outfit lost first innings’ hero Ravindra Jadeja for a duck in the very same over, seemingly ending India’s slim chances of winning the WTC Final.

Coming to Smith’s catch, it was his 157th grab in Test cricket, tying him with Mark Taylor as the Australian fielder with the third most catches in Tests, behind Mark Waugh and Ricky Ponting.