WTC Final 2023, Day 4, Aus vs Ind: Australia set India target of 444; India steady in response at 164-3 at the stumps on Day 3. Virat Kohli (44*) and Ajinkya Rahane (20*) keeping India hope alive. India need 280 runs on day 5 at The Oval.
Brief scores: WTC Final 2023, Day 4, Australia (AUS) vs. India (IND): India 164/3 (Virat Kohli 44 not out, Rohit Sharma 43) and 296 Vs. Aus 270/8 (Alex Carey 66 not out, Ravindra Jadeja 3/58) & 469.
Heading into the fifth day, the WTC final 2023 is evenly poised, with India needing 280 runs for a win while Australia requires seven more wickets. Australia started Day 4 with a lead of 296 runs before setting a target of 444. Australia pegged India back with three top-order wickets before Kohli and Rahane steadied the ship. India needs a further 280 runs for a win.
Talking points from WTC Final 2023, Day 3
Indian bowlers had a decent first session, but their attempts to restrict the target to below 400 runs were blown away by the partnership of 93 runs for the 7th wicket between Mitchell Starc and Alex Carey. The two batted maturely, feasting on the loose balls while rotating the strike comfortably. They opened up once the lead crossed 400 runs. Their stand helped Australia declare their second innings and give a target of 444 to India. India, on the other hand, lacked a few big stands to give Australia the scare. Whenever a stand grew, Australia pegged back India with quick wickets.
Read More: WTC Final 2023, Day 3, Aus vs Ind: Rahane, Thakur, Jadeja lead India fightback but Australia ahead
India vs Australia, WTC Final, Day 4, 1st session
Australia started Day 4 with a lead of 296 runs, looking to set a tough target for India. However, Team India drew the first blood, with Umesh Yadav producing a rising delivery from a good length area for Marnus Labuschagne to edge it behind to slip fielder Cheteshwar Pujara. It was then a slow grind for Australia as India bowled well to stem the flow of runs. The sixth wicket pair of Cameron Green and Alex Carey yielded 47 runs in 16.2 overs. Green was bowled after a forward defense saw him edging the ball back onto his stumps. Ravindra Jadeja was the bowler. Carey and Mitchell Starc took Aussie to lunch without any further damage. The first session produced 78 runs with the loss of two wickets. Australia led by 374 runs.
India vs. Australia, WTC Final, Day 4, second session
Post the lunch session, Australia looked to accelerate to set up a target for India. Carey and Starc posted 93 runs stand in 20 overs before the pacer fell to Mohammed Shami. The partnership was crucial for Australia as it thwarted the Indian bowling attack to restrict them cheaply in the third innings. Starc fell for 41, but by then, the lead had moved to 433 runs. Pat Cummins came to the middle and scored a boundary before falling for 5 to Shami, and declared the innings to give India few overs to face before the tea break. Indian openers came all out, guns blazing, chasing 444 to win. Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill raced to 41 off seven overs before Gill edged behind to Cameron Green off Scott Boland's bowling.
Read More: WTC Final 2023, Day 2, Aus vs Ind: India's top-order falters after Aus put mammoth 1st innings total
India vs. Australia, WTC Final, Day 4, third session
After the tea break, Rohit and Pujara began positively, scoring 51 runs in 12.4 overs. The two looked extremely comfortable against the pacers. Australia brought in Nathan Lyon, and the move paid immediate dividends. Rohit looked to sweep a ball pitched on the line of stumps but missed it and was adjudged LBW for 43. He sought a referral, but it went in vain.
Pujara then played an uncharacteristic shot, looking to glide the ball over the keeper’s head to a short ball from Pat Cummins, but only managed to give an edge behind to the keeper. 93/3 India were in trouble, before Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane took India to stumps at 164/3, keeping the match in the balance. India needs a further 280 runs, while Australia needs seven wickets to win the WTC final.
What is next
The fifth day’s play is set up for a thrilling finish. The pitch is still good to bat on if the batters apply themselves. But chasing the remaining 280 runs on the last day won’t be easy. Cummins and Co. will go out to bowl India and win their maiden WTC. India needs their veterans Kohli and Rahane to bat as long as possible to keep India in the hunt.
Read More: WTC Final 2023, Day 1, Aus vs Ind: Smith-Head 251* stand blunts India's attack; Aus 327-3