After being handed a massive target of 444 runs by Australia in their final innings of the ongoing World Test Championship (WTC) final at the Oval, the Indian top order produced a valiant effort to keep the team in the hunt for their maiden title triumph. Skipper Rohit Sharma got India off to a solid start before Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane remained resilient in the middle to help India post 164/3 at stumps and head into the decisive fifth day with 280 runs needed for victory.
Stumps called with Kohli, Rahane keeping India in the hunt! 👊
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— ICC (@ICC) June 10, 2023
In pursuit of a record target of 444 runs at the Oval, skipper Rohit Sharma led from the front with the willow as he got India off to a good start. He combined with his opening partner Shubman Gill to play out the Aussie pacers effectively against the new ball as the duo posted 41 runs for the first wicket. Gill was the first one to depart after edging a delivery from Scott Boland in the 8th over with Cameron Green taking a controversial catch at slips.
The replays showed that the ball had hit the ground while Green was in the process of completing a one-handed catch swopping towards his left but third umpire Richard Kettlebrough deemed the Indian opener out despite inconclusive evidence. The controversial dismissal sparked a massive debate on social media but India had to pay the price as an evidently frustrated Gill was sent back cheaply after managing just 18.
The king is ready to give a solid statement again to lift the world cup trophy.I'm quite sure, King is going to score 150+ runs tomorrow may be double century.#WTCFinal pic.twitter.com/PRu2jxRFG8
— Mehul Tiwary (@mehulkr018) June 10, 2023
However, Rohit remained unfazed on the other end and kept scoring quickly. The Hitman scored 43 runs off just 60 balls before he was trapped lbw by Nathan Lyon trying to play a sweep shot. It was a poor shot selection from the Indian skipper, who was looking in good touch and could have easily been the difference for his team in the all-important final. Cheteshwar Pujara was the next one to go as he was dismissed by Pat Cummins in the next over after Rohit’s departure leaving India reeling on 95/3.
However, Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane then joined hands to steady the ship with an unbeaten stand of 71 runs for the fourth wicket to keep India in the hunt for their maiden World Test Championship title. The duo were composed under pressure and frustrated the Australian bowlers with gritty knocks. While Kohli ended the day unbeaten on 44 off 60, Rahane scored 20 off 59 deliveries to help India finish with 164/3 on Day 4.
The onus will be on both the senior batters when India resume their second innings on the final fifth day of the WTC final on Sunday, June 11. India are still 280 runs away from victory and will have to pull off a record run chase at the Oval if they are to bring an end to their decade-long ICC trophy drought. No team has ever chased down more than 300 runs in a Test match in the history of the game at the Oval with the highest successful chase being England’s 263 against Australia in 1902.
Big scalp ☝
Rohit Sharma was looking good out there, but Nathan Lyon has made the vital strike for 🇦🇺
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— ICC (@ICC) June 10, 2023
It will take nothing less than a miraculous batting effort from India to chase down the target of 444 runs in their second innings and script history at the Oval. Having already lost their top three, India will rely heavily on the duo of Kohli, Rahane and the likes of Ravindra Jadeja and Shardul Thakur to get them over the line in the mighty run chase.
Frustrating morning for India
Earlier on Day 4, it was a frustrating morning for India as their bowlers were made to toil hard for wickets by the Aussie tail-enders. While wicket-keeper batter Alex Carey scored a brilliant 66, Mitchell Starc frustrated the Indian bowlers with a gritty 41 to post a 93-run stand for the seventh wicket with Carey and propel his team to 270/8 (declared) in their second innings.
Shubman Gill falls at the stroke of tea as Australia draw first blood ⚡
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— ICC (@ICC) June 10, 2023
Ravindra Jadeja was the pick of the bowlers for India on Day 4 as he managed to add another wicket to his tally, finishing with figures of 3/58 to help India restrict the Aussies to 270 before Pat Cummins decided to declare the innings. While Australia still are favourites to win the final, India will be hoping to pull off a miraculous run chase to clinch their maiden WTC title.
A fine knock from Alex Carey 👌
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— ICC (@ICC) June 10, 2023
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