AUS vs IND Day 5 Review
AUS vs IND Day 5 Review, What went wrong with India in WTC 2023, IND vs AUS WTC 2023 Day 5 Review, WTC 2023 Finals Day 5.
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The odds were heavily in favour of Australia at the start of day 5. They had been the dominant team right through the Test match. India only started fighting back on days 3 and 4 which left them with a mountain of 444 runs to chase. It’s not always that such a score is chased in Test cricket against strong bowling attacks. India had their task cut out as they had 7 wickets in hand on day 5 to score 280 more runs. The buildup to the finale was everything that the WTC Final was about.
We look at the defining moments of the final day:
#1 The first half hour belonged to India
Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane both the overnight batters started the proceedings calmly on day 5. There was no visible trouble either from the pitch or from the bowling. Indian batters looked settled largely. Kohli took confident strides while Rahane though circumspect appeared solid. Indian fans didn’t want to push the expectation quotient but their hopes were silently getting louder.
#2 The game-defining over
Scott Boland was touted to be the bowler that would be lethal on this wicket. He had shown with the wicket of Shubman Gill in the first innings that he is the man to watch out for. Boland bowled a beautiful couple of deliveries to Kohli leaving him tentative on playing the length. He finally nicked a ball that was bowled at the fifth or the sixth stump. Kohli couldn’t resist poking at it. Steve Smith dived full length to grab the catch. India’s hopes of a rescue or a miracle were buried right there.
Ravindra Jadeja walking in at number 6 lasted two deliveries. He edged a straight delivery from round the wicket to leave India tottering at 179-5. The game was done and dusted right there. It was now over to the formalities.
#3 Rahane continued albeit briefly
Srikar Bharat showed a bit of grit in the company of Rahane. He copped a couple of blows but was game to continue. Rahane incidentally batted in full flow post Kohli’s wicket. He played a couple of wonderful eye-catching straight drives of Mitchell Starc. The ever-optimistic Indian fans got their voice back for a period of 6-7 overs.
Rahane though much like his other star contemporaries played a loose shot to kill the game for India. Australia wasted little sweat in dismantling the longish tail and took home the mace.
#4 What does this victory mean for Australia?
With the WTC 2023 win, Australia became the first team to win all the ICC trophies. They currently hold 9 ICC titles which is 5 more than any other nation in the history of the game. This win keeps them in good stead for the upcoming Ashes in England. Ben Stokes’ England has promised to entertain on the back of Bazball philosophy. Australia on the other hand has the depth in bowling to test England’s character. It promises to be a cracker of an Ashes series.
#5 What does the defeat signal for India?
India’s quest for an ICC title keeps getting longer. It was back in 2013 when the side won the Champions Trophy in England. 10 years have passed but India has failed to win any coveted championship. The future of Cheteshwar Pujara and Umesh Yadav looks bleak. Both of them have often been regarded as workhorses but failed to live up to this very reputation in such a big final.
India’s core group is all on the wrong side of 30s including a couple of superstars. It is the right time to induct young blood into the team. The defeat in all likelihood marks the end of an era that ticked all the boxes apart from winning all the ultimate ones. Maybe the new dawn will usher in a different result. Indian cricket and Indian fans continue to hope!
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