Fresh & Fit Aussies Outwit India at the Oval

The Much Awaited Duel

The much anticipated and hyped World Test Championship’ 23  Final played out at ‘ The Oval ‘ in London ended on the last day, with Australia emerging victorious over a much heralded Indian side. Both the teams had fought hard over the past two years and had emerged challengers for the ‘ Mace ‘ of Test Cricket. The Indians having qualified for the second consecutive WTC Final clearly indicating their  consistent performance over 4 years.

Travis-Smith & Aggressive Defiance

India won  the toss and put  Australia in to Bat on a greenish top with a heavy cloud cover. The helpful conditions and some good incisive  fast bowling had Australia struggling post Lunch on the first day. As it eventually turned out, this was  the only period in the match when India were ahead. At 76 for 3, Travis Head joined Steve Smith, the sun came out  drying the pitch and Indians were put on a leather hunt for a good day and a half. Travis Head attacked the Indian bowlers and scored quickly while Steve Smith dropped anchor and denied the Indian bowlers with his stubborn defiance.

Playing Catch Up All The Time

Travis Head and Smith both scored tons and though India did get back a bit on the second day post Lunch, Australia had put up a healthy 469 in the first innings. The conditions were good for batting and though a lot was expected from our batters, the top order caved in quite quickly under a relentless Australian attack. Rahane, Jadeja and Shardul Thakur fought hard to minimise the gap, but the lead eventually was an exorbitant 173. Our bowling attack did make inroads in the second innings, but the Australians had gotten far ahead. India were playing Catch Up Cricket all the time and were left with a staggering 444 to chase to win the Championship. 

An Implosion In The End

Indian batters did show some fight and particularly Kohli and Rahane gave a glimmer of hope, with a strong partnership.  However once Kohli was brilliantly caught by Smith and with Jadeja departing for nought in the same over, a dramatic collapse was triggered on the 5th  day morning. The middle order simply capitulated and by Lunch, Australians had done the finishing job.  The expectant full house at the Oval was humbled. They had come to see a strong Indian pursuit of the target, but were stunned to witness a cascade of wickets as the Indian batting imploded ever so quickly. 

A Tired Indian Side Fell To A Revitalised Australia 

The Indian Team  coming out of a gruelling IPL  appeared a bit jaded and fatigued. On the other hand the Australians were much better prepared which showed up in both their batting and bowling. Most of the Australian team members were playing after a good rest and were raring to go. Their intensity just never dropped in the match. Scott Boland bowled brilliantly  with amazing consistency and untiring long spells. Travis Head and Steve Smith, whose partnership made the eventual difference, too were looking crisp to say the least.

Ashwin & Rishabh Missed

The much decorated Indian batting just could not match up to the requirements of the game. Grafting for long hours and obdurate resistance which were required to keep the Australians at bay, were conspicuous by their absence. Instead some questionable shot selection was on display. The team missed both Ashwin and Rishabh Pant in good measure. KS Bharat though kept well, had a poor outing with the bat and did no good for his future prospects with the Indian Team. 

Time To  Script A New Path 

Interestingly the Indian batters were caught somewhere is between the two ways of playing Test Cricket these days. One is the Bazball, no holds barred, extremely aggressive  type preached by England and the other being the conventional, patient and  defiant type. We need to choose one and then prepare for it with all our might. We have an exceptional quality of players and therefore a loss in the WTC Final should not be seen as a catastrophe, but an opportunity to chart out a fresh journey for Indian Cricket.

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Featured Image : Victorious Australian Team/ pic courtesy The New Indian