Australia Makes History as India’s ICC Title Drought Continues in WTC Final

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Australia’s Dominant Performance Ends India’s ICC Title Dream in WTC Final.

ICC World Test Championship Australia 2023

Photo Credit: @ICC Twitter

Australia emerged victorious in the highly anticipated World Test Championship (WTC) final against India, extending India’s long-awaited quest for an ICC title. The match took place at The Oval, where Australia dominated the proceedings from the first day until the final session, ultimately winning by a massive margin of 209 runs.

Batting first, Australia displayed their prowess with Travis Head and Steve Smith both scoring centuries, propelling the team to a formidable total of 469 runs in the first innings. In response, India’s top-order struggled, but a resilient knock of 89 by Ajinkya Rahane, supported by valuable contributions from Shardul Thakur and Ravindra Jadeja, enabled them to avoid the follow-on. India managed to show signs of a comeback in their second innings, reaching 164/3 by the end of the fourth day.

However, the final day brought disappointment for India as they faced a determined Australian bowling attack. Scott Boland made an immediate impact by dismissing both Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja in the same over. Kohli fell just one run short of his half-century, caught by Steve Smith at slips, while Jadeja departed without scoring, caught-behind by the wicketkeeper. Rahane, who had shown promise, was eventually dismissed by Mitchell Starc for 46 runs. The wickets continued to tumble, and it was Nathan Lyon who dealt the final blow, securing victory for Australia by wrapping up the Indian tail.

With this triumph, Australia became the second team, after New Zealand, to lift the prestigious WTC mace, crowning them as the champions of Test cricket. Nathan Lyon’s exceptional bowling performance in the final moments of the match, dismissing Bharat and Siraj, sealed the victory for Australia.

Leading up to the final day, Australian paceman Mitchell Starc acknowledged that the pitch had not exhibited the anticipated challenges, but he believed that the cracks on the surface might come into play. Starc expressed hope that the pitch would break up further, presenting an opportunity for his team to capitalize on the final day.

India’s chase of 444 runs to win the title proved to be a daunting task. Although Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane started steadily on the final day, the Indian team struggled to maintain their momentum. The Australian bowlers were successful in disrupting India’s batting lineup, leading to their eventual collapse.

This victory also marked a significant milestone for Australia, as they became the first team in the history of cricket to win all ICC championships across different formats of the game. Travis Head’s exceptional batting performance in the first innings earned him the well-deserved player of the match award.

Team India and its management will undoubtedly be disappointed by their performance in the crucial match. Various decisions, such as the exclusion of Ravichandran Ashwin and the inability to capitalize on early breakthroughs, came under scrutiny. The collapse of India’s top order in both innings and their inability to sustain partnerships ultimately contributed to their defeat.

As Australia celebrated their triumph, millions of Indian fans were left heartbroken, as India’s wait for an ICC title extended. The WTC final witnessed a series of highs and lows, showcasing the intense battle between two highly skilled teams. The match highlighted the importance of strategy, adaptability, and resilience in the demanding realm of Test cricket.

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