IND vs AUS WTC Final Highlights Day 5: Australia Force The Inevitable, Beat India To Lift The World Test Championship Mace

OUT!!! India are all out for 234. Australia have secured the only trophy they didn't have in their cabinet as they drub India by 209 runs here at the Oval Cricket Ground. History for Pat Cummins and company. 

It is just a matter of time now as India are facing a massive defeat in the World Test Championship final. Mohammed Siraj is the new batter in. It is time for lunch but it will surely be extended. 

How long can KS Bharat delay the inevitable? - That is the question which remains. OUT!!! Bouncer from Starc gets the better of Umesh Yadav. Two wickets remain as Australia can start feeling it already. 

OUT! Shardul Thakur adjudged LBW in front of the wicket as India lose their 7th wicket. Nathan Lyon grabs his 2nd wicket as Australia have got one hand on the trophy already. Matter of time, they will have their 2nd hand on it as well. 

Nathan Lyon has been brought into the attack as he has got fair share of success against Ajinkya Rahane. OUT!!! Last nail in the coffin as Rahane falls to a straighter one as he looked to drive the ball. India 6 down as Shardul Thakur walks in. 

Credit to Scott Boland for this relentless bowling at the off stump and then setting up Virat Kohli with a wide ball. Mitchell Starc, on the other hand, has been expensive. FOUR! Beautiful shot from Ajinkya Rahane.

The key for the Indian team will be now to stretch this as long as possible. Winning from here for India looks to impossible considering the conditions. Can Ajinkya Rahane play out the entire day along with the lower middle order and tail? Daunting task for sure.

It has all turned dark for Team India as Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja are back in the pavilion. KS Bharat is the new batter as he has been struck on the helmet first up. Australia 5 wickets away from winning the WTC final whereas India need 260 runs more.

Review taken by Australia as Marnus Labuschagne insisted on it. There is nothing on the ULTRAEDGE!!! and the crowd goes into a frenzy. Boland is bowling well as he gets Virat Kohli gets out on 49! The crowd has been silenced. 

First boundary off the 5th day as Ajinkya Rahane gets a top edge and it trickles away towards the boundary. Pat Cummins has been relentless in this over. India need 269 to win.

Scott Boland bowls a maiden as Ajinkya Rahane has looked solid so far with his defence. He also looked to play some drives which went to straight to the fielder. India need 280 runs more.

It all boils down to this! The final day of the World Test Championship Final.

Let's do this #TeamIndia #WTC23 pic.twitter.com/i91euseQ4v, — BCCI (@BCCI) June 11, 2023

The former Indian captain said that he wakes up every morning thinking to be the man for the team. "I still wake up every morning believing that I can be the man for the team," he added.

"I wake up every morning of any game that I play believing that I'm going to be the guy who is going to make my team win. I'm still as excited to be the man that helps my team when I'm batting out there," Virat said.

"What motivates me is knowing that the opportunity I have every game that I play for India, to make my team win, I don't think in sport there is any bigger motivation than that," he told ICC.

India's star batter is renowned as the 'chase master' for a career filled with devastatingly decisive innings when targeting tricky totals.

Indian batter Virat Kohli showed confidence in his batting before stepping to play on the fifth day of the World Test Championship (WTC) final as he feels that he is playing his best in all formats of the game.

India was down to 93/3, From that point, Rahane and Kohli took on the Australian bowlers and subdued them with their defensive skills and attacking shots. They went on to build an unbeaten 71-run partnership at the end of the day.

At the end of the fifth day, India scored 164/3 in 40 overs with Ajinkya Rahane and Virat Kohli at the crease with scores of 20(59)* and 44(60)*. After the arguable dismissal of Shubman Gill in the second innings, Rohit Sharma and Cheteshwar Pujara kept the scoreboard moving.

Virat also holds a reputation for scoring the most runs in WTC by the Indian batter. Meanwhile, an eventful Day 4 of the WTC final came to a close with Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane holding India's fort.

The experienced Cheteshwar Pujara is the fourth batter on the list with 2,074 runs. Virat Kohli is at fifth with 2,037* runs.

The third position is held by the current Indian head coach Rahul Dravid, who has scored 2,143 runs against the Australian team.

'Master Blaster' Sachin Tendulkar still holds the record for scoring the highest number of runs against Australia, at 3,630. At second is VVS Laxman with 2,434 runs.

India's run machine on the fourth day of WTC final joined an elite list as he became the fifth Indian batter to score more than 2000 runs against Australia.

Virat who failed to deliver in the first innings, learnt from his mistake and batted solidly in the second innings. He is at the crease with 44 (60)*.

All eyes are on India's star batter Virat Kohli as India is chasing the mammoth 444-run target on the Fifth day of the World Test Championship (WTC) final at the Oval in London on Sunday.

Four runs from Nathan Lyon's final over of the 4th day. The ongoing partnership between Kohli and Rahane has added a 71-run stand for the fourth wicket.   

India still need 280 runs to win on the final day of the match.

With a four on Lyon's first ball of the over, Kohli has completed 5000 international runs against Australia across formats. He is only behind legendary Sachin Tendulkar's feat on over 6000 runs. 

Nathan Lyon has continued from one end while Cummins has brought himself from the other end after trying Starc and Green from the same end. Kohli and Rahane are firm in the crease and confidently playing their shots. 

India 160/3 after 39 overs.   

The Kohli-Starc match-up is not going in Australia's way as the former is ruling the battle by smashing fours against the pacer. Kohli hit two fours in Starc's over to add eight runs as 150 comes up for India. 

India 150/3 after 35 overs. 

"He has made the most of his opportunity and that is all you can do. I think there are two more Test matches in the West Indies after this before Rahul and Iyer are back, so he has got a real opportunity to prolong his Test career for another couple of years," Ponting said.

So, the battle has started between Kohli and Starc as Australia introduces the speedster in the final hour of play to get more wickets in the day. Kohli struck a boundary on the leg-stump line ball. 

India 136/3 after 33 overs.  

The partnership between Rahane and Kohli has kept India alive in the match. Rahane struck a boundary off Scott Boland in the over to get six runs from it. The run rate has been quite decent for India with over four runs per over. Still 15 overs remaining in the day.

India 130/3 after 31 overs.

Virat looking good in the middle as India takes three runs from Boland's over.

India 123/3 after 29 overs.

Only two runs were conceded from Nathan Lyon in a very tight over.

India 112/3 after 26 overs.

Virat smashes a boundary to ruin Lyon's over.

India 109/3 after 24 overs.

Virat and Rahane have a job for the ages to fulfill if they can do the incredible to bring something out of this massive chase. 

India 96/3 after 22 overs.

Another one goes down as Pujara fell prey to a short ball from Pat Cummins.

India 93/3 after 20.4 overs.

That was unnecessary from Rohit as he was caught in front by Nathan Lyon. India are two down

India 92/2 after 19.5 overs.

Rohit and Pujara bring a fifty-run stand for the second wicket as India looks solid at the moment.

India 91/1 after 19 overs.

Rohit and Pujara bring a fifty-run stand for the second wicket as India looks solid at the moment.

India 91/1 after 19 overs.

Cummins bowled yet another no-ball and finished with 6 runs in the over.

India 84/1 after 17 overs.

Pujara is playing with a different approach in the second innings as he is scoring quick runs. Maiden last over from Scott Boland and just one run from Starc's this over. 

India 66/1 after 13 overs. 

Cheteshwar Pujara has joined Rohit Sharma in the middle post Tea after the dismissal of Gill. The no. 3 batter opened scoring with a four on the last ball of Scott Boland's over.  

India 45/1 after 8 overs.  

It was a controversial decision as on replays, it appeared that the ball touched the ground while Green took the catch. Commentators also felt the same and in fact, Rohit Sharma was also in disbelief that it was given out. Hark luck for Gill today as it could have gone either way. Whatever will be the outcome of the match, this will become a talking point tomorrow.    

Cameron Green has grabbed a low catch at third slip but the third umpire is checking the authenticity of the grab. So, the verdict is OUT and Shubman Gill has to go back to the pavilion. He scored 18 runs as Cheteshwar Pujara will join Rohit in the middle after tea break.

India 41/1 after 7.1 overs. (TEA)    

Rohit played a pull shot off Starc to get six runs over fine-leg. This is not the ideal length to bowl against the Indian skipper as he is very strong on pads. Gill is also supporting his partner well in the opening stand. 13 runs from Starc's first over.  

India 41/0 after 7 overs. 

Despite the haunting 444-run target in front of them, both Indian openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill are playing their shots free-minded and are in good mental space. The duo are scoring quick runs against Cummins and Boland in the session and so far looked very confident in the middle. Definitely, good signs for India in the match.  

Indian skipper Rohit Sharma is looking in good touch against Australian pacers and sending them to regular boundaries. The opener smashed three fours off Cummins in the third over to accumulate 13 runs from it. 

India 19/0 after 3 overs. 

Shami strikes again and removed Pat Cummins (5) just after the drinks break. Australia have set the 444 runs target against India to win this game from here. 

Australia 270/8 (d) in 84.3 overs. 

Shami gets the wicket of Starc with the new ball. Pat Cummins is in the middle to join Carey just before the drinks break. Australia are likely to announce a declaration soon in the match. 

Australia 269/7 after 84 overs. (Drinks break)

First two overs after the new ball by Shami and Siraj but no wicket has fallen for Australia as Carey and Starc continue to frustrate India in the session. 10 runs from Siraj's last over. The lead has been over 420 runs. 

Shami will start with the new ball from the other end as India look to all-out Australia in their second innings. The lead is over 400 runs for Australia as they look to give a 450-run target to India.  

Carey completes his fifty as Australia's lead go beyond 400 runs in the match. Pressure is mounting on India to wrap up Australia's second innings as early as possible. The partnership between Carey and Starc has also reached over the 60-run mark. 

Australia 229/6 after 79 overs. 

Whose catch was that? Kohli and Pujara watch Carey's edge going between them as the ball flies through the first and second slips. India need quick wickets from here to keep themselves alive in the match.

Australia 212/6 after 74 overs. 

Australia reach 201 for 6 after 70 over at the stroke of lunch. Alex Carey and Mitchell Starc remain not-out as Australia lead by 374.

We are coming towards the lunch break. Australian keeper Alex Carey has been excellent in both innings. He is the only reason Australia's lead is swelling nicely. Umesh Yadav back in the attack as Australia reach 200. The lead is now 373.

India are running against the time as Australia's lead has gone past 350. There were two crucial strikes for the Rohit Sharma-led side. However, they need to close Australia's innings as soon as possible.

Third wicket for Ravindra Jadeja as Cameron Green walks back after getting bowled. This is excellent bowling from the left-arm spinner as he grabs the 3rd wicket. Australia lead by 340.

Apart from the wicket of Labuschagne, Indian bowlers have got no success to boast their morale. Australia batters are getting runs occasionally. FOUR! What a ripper from Mohammed Siraj. Bharat just missed out. Australia lead by 339 runs.

Alex Carey and Cameron Green are covering the gap nicely for the side as Australia lead by 329 runs. Ravindra Jadeja to continue. Can he strike one more time? 

Mohammed Siraj has changed his end for the left-hander Alex Carey. India need these 5 wickets quickly. Australians, on the other hand, might be feeling comfortable with their situation.

Ravindra Jadeja in the attack. Alex Carey takes out a sweep from his armory and gets a single. Cameron Green will be itching to play a big shot. Australia lead by 316 runs.

Umesh Yadav has been spot on in this innings. He is growing in confidence as he is making the batter play every ball in this spell. Cameron Green gets a single off the final ball. Australia lead by 303.

OUT!!! Marnus Labuschagne finally edges one to the first slip as Umesh Yadav strikes early in the day. FOUR! Alex Carey gets off the mark and Australia's lead reaches 301. 

Umesh Yadav started the over well. There is some hint of inward movement which bothered Marnus Labuschagne. Australia lead by 297. Mohammed Shami to start from the other end.

Day beckons

Let's go #TeamIndia #WTC23 pic.twitter.com/WEBxHIw5Mg, — BCCI (@BCCI) June 10, 2023

The rise of Siraj has an all-format pacer has been interesting. From being trolled by cricket fans for his expensive spells for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in IPL, Siraj has established himself as a bowler to watch out for across all formats.

"I used to play a lot of tennis-ball cricket. I never thought I could be an Indian player. I used to give my 100 per cent in those matches. When I started playing in the league, it was the first time that I touched a leather ball. I did not know anything about swing and inswing. But I still took five wickets on my debut. Slowly, my confidence grew as I played. It never crossed my mind that I would play for India, but I kept enjoying the game," said Siraj.

Talking about his cricketing journey, Siraj said that he played a lot of tennis ball cricket but never thought he could play for India.

Siraj over the past few years has developed an aggressive body language on the field, which has seen him get into heated exchanges with his opponents while bowling.

"Aggression is very important in my bowling. Test cricket is all about aggression. It is not about delivering simple balls and leaving without saying anything. Unlike some bowlers who bowl here and there because of aggression, my bowling is precise. The more aggressive I am, the more success I get," said Siraj in a video posted by ICC on Saturday.

Indian pacer Mohammed Siraj said that aggression is a key component of his bowling and he enjoys it since it gives him more success. Siraj is part of the Indian squad that is playing the ICC World Test Championship final against Australia at The Oval.

#WTCFinal2023 #WTCFinal #AUSvsIND #INDvsAUS
Ajinkya Rahane said - The the credit for my good performance goes to Dhoni, He gave me chance to play for CSK which gave me back my confidence pic.twitter.com/a1V7AQV2cx, —(@superking1816) June 9, 2023

The outfield at The Oval was one of the most expansive in the world, but is slightly smaller now to make way for more rows of seats. However, the boundaries are still considerably farther than any Indian ground, with the square fences particularly distant.

The only remnant is the original architecture of the old pavilion with its red brick and cement masonry, tiled, sloping roof, two watch towers and a clock in the middle witnessing the action. But the players' dressing rooms are no longer housed within it. Instead, they are located midway up a modern, adjoining construction.

The Oval has changed unrecognisably since India's maiden appearance here in 1936. Even since the Indians won their first Test in England at this venue in 1971.

India may have only one left-handed batsman in all-rounder Jadeja in their ranks - often an off-spinner's bunny. But Lyon could trouble right-handers as well, if the ball really starts turning, not to mention the Australian fast bowlers benefiting from variable bounce.

Admittedly, though, there was no evidence of assistance to a slow bowler when India's left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja operated on the third day.

With cracks appearing on the pitch which could expand on Saturday, the hottest day of the year forecast so far (28-degree Celsius), Aussie off-spinner Nathan Lyon could come into the frame when India bat in the fourth innings.

At draw of stumps on Day 3, Australia were 123/4, leading by 296 runs, with Marnus Labuschagne (41*) and Cameron Green (7*) holding fort.

But it is still an uphill climb for India to save the Test. 

In their second venture, Australia weathered the fire and fury of Mohammed Siraj - which fetched the early wicket of veteran David Warner - and extended their first innings lead of 175 to close to 300. Only a most sensational collapse will bring India into the reckoning.

A century partnership for the seventh wicket between Ajinkya Rahane and Shardul Thakur on the third day of the World Test Championship final against Australia saved a follow-on and face for India.

Australia finish on 123/4 at the end of day 4 of the WTC finals 2023 on Friday. An interesting day lies ahead as they lead by 295 runs.

This is turning into an interesting contest between the two sides. Australia have a substantial lead (288) on their hands with six wickets left. The wicket is showing signs of wear and tear already. 

The left-arm spin of Jadeja is getting some rigourous turn from one end. Mohammed Siraj is using the short ball ploy against Travis Head. Australia lead by 277 runs.

Steve Smith skies one and Shardul Thakur does no wrong as he takes a tough catch. India can breathe a sigh of relief, however, the match is still in Australia's favour as they lead by 260 runs.

Steve Smith has taken the responsibility to score quickly and ever since he has come in the middle, he is looking to score. Much more intent than 1st innings. Australia lead by 224.

Mohammed Siraj has been brought into the attack. After taking a wicket, Umesh got hit for a few boundaries and was taken off the attack. Australia lead by 218 runs. Can India contain the lead to 350? 

Big wicket for India as Usman Khawaja nicks it to the wicketkeeper as KS Bharat has been outstanding in this match. The pair of Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne in the middle. 

Marnus Labuschagne is making this pitch look like it is the worst to bat. These are cunning tactics from him. Nevertheless, Mohammed Shami bowls another maiden. 

The pair of Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne is in the middle again. India need wickets - as simple as that. Mohammed Shami to start.

We are in middle of a fierce spell by Mohammed Siraj. He has made Marnus Labuschagne uncomfortable with constant attack on his pads. This is a tough time for Australia as boundaries are not coming. Australia lead by 195.

First boundary for Australia as Usman Khawaja pulls it square towards the boundary. Mohammed Siraj's bouncer plan was spot on. Mohammed Siraj to continue from the other end. Australia lead by 185 runs.

The first blood goes to Mohammed Siraj as David Warner fails to impress unlike in the 1st innings. Marnus Labuschagne is the new batter. Australia lead by 175.

Australian openers are off to a steady start in the 2nd innings. Usman Khawaja who was on a pair has got off the mark. Mohammed Siraj to continue.

Starc gets the final wicket of Mohammed Shami to bundle out India for 297 and enjoy hefty 173 runs lead in the first innings.   

For Australia, skipper Pat Cummins bagged three wickets while Starc, Green and Boland grabbed two scalps each.

Green gets rid of Shardul Thakur in the 69th over as Australia look to end India's first innings as soon as possible.

India 294/9 after 69 overs.   

Shami struck consecutive fours off Scott Boland to add some quick runs to India's scoreboard and reduce the deficit. 11 runs from the over.

India 282/8 after 67 overs.

Cummins is at business as he gets Umesh Yadav (5) to leave India reeling at 271/8 in 66 overs. 

India are still 196 runs behind Australia's first-innings total.,

Finally, Cummins hits the final nail in the coffin as he removed Ajinkya Rahane for 89 just after the lunch break. 

India 265/7 after 64 overs.

Maiden first up from Scott Boland. Despite India's counter attack, Boland has been phenomenal with his line and length. Captain Pat Cummins to start from the other end. 

Ajinkya Rahane and Shardul Thakur have stitched up a welcome partnership of 108 runs at a run-rate of close to 5. India finish on 260/6 at the end of 60 overs. 

This is scintillating batting from Ajinkya Rahane. 10 runs collected off Nathan Lyon's bowling. Another test, another 7th wicket partnership is giving nightmares to the Australian team. India trail by 210 runs.

Nathan Lyon introduced in the attack. He had some fair share of success against Ajinkya Rahane. FOUR!! That was a half volley and Rahane just pounced on it. India trail by 226 runs. 

Even though Mitchell Starc got the prized wicket of Virat Kohli on Day 2, he has been ordinary till now with his line and length. He has been expensive as well. FOUR!! What a shot from Shardul Thakur. India trail by 240 runs.

Last 10 overs have yielded 53 runs for India. This is a good sign that runs are coming at a brisk rate. Cameron Green continues once again. India trail by 249 runs.

50 overs are up and India are now moving ahead nicely for now. Shardul Thakur and Ajinkya Rahane are getting some crucial runs for the side. India trail by 253 runs.

This is a healthy little partnership between the two players from Mumbai - Ajinkya Rahane and Shardul Thakur. Can they reach the mark of 269 to avoid the follow on mark. India brings up 200. 

Shardul Thakur is struggling at the moment. He just got a reprieve from Cameron Green as he dropped a sitter in gully. Normally, Green is safe as a bucket in that region. Rahane, on the other hand, is batting well. India trail by 291 runs.

Scott Boland to continue as Ajinkya Rahane defends the first ball nicely. Shardul Thakur has coped up a couple of blows in Cummins' over. So, he would look to stay away from the strike for a while. India trail by 300 runs.

Shardul Thakur has been hit twice on the arm now. Physio is currently tending to him. It will be interesting to see if he continues or gets retired hurt. India trail by 302 runs.

After Bharat's departure, Shardul Thakur joins Rahane in the middle. The duo will have the task to keep the scoreboard ticking and not let any wicket fall further. 

India 166/6 after 41 overs.   

Boland cleans up Bharat on the second ball of the day to further dent India's depleted batting.  The pacer cleans up the top of the middle stump on an in-swinging delivery. 

India 154/6 in 39 overs.

"We have had an amazing preparation coming into this Test. We were 10 days early here in England to adjust to the time zones and conditions. We did well with the bat and with the ball as well. Had we won the toss, we would have bowled first as well. We were happy going back to the dressing room yesterday. I was happy as well, getting a few overs under my belt. We try to bowl that good length around off for all the batters. We only change the plan, if the batters get set or play pretty well. For me personally, try and get the outside edge and inside edge as play. Pretty much, if the batter is batting well, try and change a bit this much. I don't wanna try to go too much away from the off stump. Hopefully, we can take wickets early on and get into the Indian bowlers, once we get to bat."

"A perfect day in South-East London. It's going to be warmer than yesterday with 0% chance of rain. With the sun baking, this pitch will deteriorate further which is good news for Australia. The cracks are going straight down the pitch and that brings in variable bounce, there are some divots as well. It's going to spin off the pitch as well, it will get drier, it's hard underneath and will continue to help the spinners as well," reckon Nasser Hussain and Dinesh Karthik, in their pitch report.

Ajinkya Rahane and KS Bharat will need to leave the right balls in the initial hour of play on day 3. A lot will depend on the current partnership for India as Shardul Thakur is the only player remaining who can play some cricketing shots in the middle. 

Indian batters struggled against the outside off balls on day 3 and fell prey to that line. Australia will continue to stick to that line to further dent India's first innings. 

A lot of stakes will be on Ajinkya Rahane when he takes the field on day 3. The former India vice-captain needs 40 runs to complete 5000 Test runs. He will continue his knock from 29* on Friday. 

"That is leaving it poorly because the front foot has just gone across. It should be going towards the ball; he was looking to play it and then decided whether he should leave it. You see, the way he is leaving it, the off-stump is exposed. The front foot is still middle stump when it's actually going towards the off stump. Watch that front foot. It should be further across and towards the ball. He thought it was outside the off stump. It was an error in judgement," Shastri said on air while commenting on the match.

"We are strong after 2 days, the pitch is a bit up and down and hopefully it will be harder for India to bat tomorrow," he said at the end of Day 2.

On day 3, India have the upskill task to avoid the follow on in the mega clash. With half of the side back in the pavilion, the onus will be on Ajinkya Rahane and KS Bharat to keep India alive in the match at the back of their first innings total. India need 119 more runs to brush off the follow on at Oval.     

"As his rhythm improves, he’ll get that ball to drift a little bit more. The line will become a little wider, more attacking. With his bounce and pace – any rough that forms – he’ll be even more dangerous,” Kumar Sangakkara said on the ICC feed after Day 2.

"I loved seeing that and he looks like the ultimate competitor. Maybe sometimes he gets carried away and goes a little bit over the top, but you need those guys in your side when things aren't going well. He was the one today who said I am going to be the guy that is going to turn things around and what I loved was that his pace didn't drop at all during the whole innings," Ponting told ICC.

"The length at off stump I think is important. We've obviously seen a bit of variable bounce and some seam movement. So if we're challenging the top of the stumps as much as possible, I think that's the quickest way home. You can certainly get the outside edge from there if it seams away and bounces or takes off, which a couple have. And then pads and stumps are in play with the ones that shoot low or seam back. So it's about as simple as we need to keep it, I think," Smith said.

"We decided to bowl bouncer only to Head and if he get hit from there then so be it. We stuck to it and got success. We built pressure did not give too many runs that also helped. We used bouncers yesterday as well but the chances went in the gap. There were four-five chances off my bowling only. If we did not bowl well, Australia would have crossed 500," he said.

Ajinkya Rahane and KS Bharat will have a huge role to play in the outcome of this match as India's top order completely collapsed in the first innings against Australian pacers on the seam and bouncy conditions at the Oval. With only five wickets in hand and a deficit of 318 runs, the duo has to build a big partnership to stage a comeback for India.       

India were 151/5 at stumps on day 2.