The World Test Championship Final between India and Australia was gripping, but Australia emerged victorious eventually. Pat Cummins and Co. humbled India by 209 runs and became the first team to win ICC titles in all three formats. Here, we shall look at some of the major highlights from the match.
Steve Smith and Travis Head set the tone for Australia
The platform for Australia’s memorable win was set quite early in the match as Travis Head and Steven Smith played two mind-blowing knocks to put Australia in the driving seat. Head smashed 163 off 174 deliveries, while Smith made 121 during their 285-run stand for the fourth wicket. Their knocks helped Australia in reaching a massive total of 469.
Rahane, Jadeja and Thakur lead India’s fight back
India were reduced to 71/4 after Australia’s heroic batting efforts. Rohit Sharma and Co. were staring down the barrel, and that’s precisely when Ajinkya Rahane, Ravindra Jadeja, and Shardul Thakur stepped up to lead India’s fight back. Jadeja scored 48, while Thakur made an impressive 51. But it was Rahane’s 89 that gave India a fighting chance. Their efforts helped India reach 296, which wasn’t even looking likely at one point.
Alex Carey extends Australia’s lead
India had a much-better bowling performance in the second innings as they had reduced Australia to 167/6. But Alex Carey combined with Mitchell Starc to take Australia’s total to 270/8, extending Australia’s lead to 444 runs. Carey remained unbeaten on 66 while Starc scored 41.
Kohli, Rahane’s efforts were in vain as Boland and Lyon skittle India
Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane were batting beautifully, and it looked like they would take India to at least a draw, if not a win. But Scott Boland had Kohli dismissed on 49, and Mitchell Starc got Rahane for 46 a little while later to trigger India’s collapse. Nathan Lyon also ran through the tail to claim four wickets and bowl India out for 234. Boland finished with three wickets in the innings and five wickets in the match. Australia won the game by 222 runs, and Head was adjudged the Player of the Match for his superb knock of 163.
