AUS Vs IND Day 5 Preview:
AUS vs IND Day 5 Preview, AUS vs IND Day 5 Match Details, WTC 2023 Finals Day 5 What to expect?, What to expect from AUS vs IND Day 5 Match?, Australia vs India Day 5 Preview, World Test Championship Day 5 Update.
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Australia was in a position of strength at the start of day 4. They were close to 300 runs ahead with 6 wickets in hand. Despite India’s spirited showing in the second innings, they were a long way away from staging a comeback. Australia was expected to set the pace on day 4 leaving India an improbable target to chase. The narrative surrounding the day was how would India respond to Australia’s punches throughout the day. India has taken the game to day 5 and it has set up a fine finale for the ultimate Test.
We look at what day 5 of the WTC Final has in store for us:
#1 Australia set up a daunting fourth-innings target
India was expected to bowl the Australian side out for inside 400. But the bowlers lacked the zip that they put on a show on the third day. Aussie middle and lower middle order stretched the lead to a total of 443 runs. Mitchell Starc and Alex Carey’s comfortable stay at the crease was a sign that the pitch hadn’t deteriorated as was expected. If the batters applied themselves there were runs for the taking.
#2 India starts positively but a contentious decision sets them back
Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill started the run-chase in terrific fashion. Australia opened the bowling with Pat Cummins and Scott Boland. Mitchell Starc was surprisingly not given the new ball. The predictability of the two new ball bowlers played into India’s hands as they raced to 41 runs inside 7 overs.
But what transpired then will remain a talking point for some time. Shubman Gill was adjudged out based on inconclusive replays. The third umpire was slammed for not soaking in enough time and not looking at enough evidence to come out with a verdict. This decision at the stroke of tea was bound to push India back.
#3 India breeze through, stumbles, and then steady
Sharma and Cheteshwar Pujara got the innings back on track immediately after tea. They didn’t let the outside chatter affect their batting. Pujara kept looking for scoring opportunities while Sharma continued in a positive vein. But both the batters were dismissed to soft shots leaving India in a hole at 93-3.
Chasing such a huge total of 444, these twin dismissals in a space of two overs was the last thing India needed. Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane then steadied the ship to take India to 164-3 at the end of day 4. India needs 280 more runs while the Aussies need the remaining 7 wickets to win the WTC.
#4 What does the final day have in store for us?
Australia continues to be favourites for the fifth straight day of the WTC Final. They need just 7 Indian wickets on a fifth-day track at the Oval. Australia will also have the luxury of the second new ball when it is due.
The odds are stacked in their favour heading into the final day. West Indies hold the world record for the highest run-chase in Tests (418). They set this record incidentally against Australia back in 2003. India has to break this 20-year record to claim the mace!
