AUS vs IND Day 1 Review
AUS vs IND Day 1 Updates, AUS vs IND Day 1 Review, AUS vs IND Day 1 Match Highlights, WTC 2023 Finals, WTC 2023 AUS vs IND Day 1 Match Updates.
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There was a lot of anticipation surrounding the quality of cricket one would witness in the 2023 WTC Final. Australia and India have shared plenty of high-voltage battles over the years. There has been just enough needle in this rivalry that keeps the excitement going. The fans expected the first day of the WTC Final to set this notion in motion. But day 1 of the WTC Final was in total contrast to what was predicted.
#1 The toss factor:
Rohit Sharma won the toss amidst the gloomy weather of the Oval. He appeared keen to field first and took an unconventional route in such a big game. It was always going to be a 50-50 call as the Test is played over 5 days and Rohit’s decision felt that he took into consideration just the opening day’s weather. To his surprise, the sun was out fairly early today providing the best batting conditions for the Australians.
#2 Team combination:
There was immense speculation around India’s team combination for the final. India went in with 3 seamers and 2 spinners the last time they played the WTC Final in England. The move didn’t pay dividends and India from thereon has been skeptical to field two spinners overseas.
India resisted the temptation to play Ravichandran Ashwin and went in with 4 seamers and 1 spinner. The track appeared dry underneath. Only time will tell if India made the right choice.
#3 India’s new ball duo breathed fire but:
Mohammad Shami and Mohammad Siraj made the new ball talk. They were right on the money from ball one. Both the pacers kept the openers in check. Siraj dismissed Usman Khawaja cheaply. India was right on top. Marnus Labuschagne joined David Warner. The pair survived a tricky phase of plays and misses.
India looked like they would pick a wicket every ball but ended up just beating the bat. They were guilty of bowling a fraction shorter. Australia steadied the ship until David Warner was trapped down the leg side.
#4 From lunch to tea to dinner:
Australia lost an early wicket post the lunch break. Shami dismissed Labuschagne with a peach of a delivery. Australia at that stage was 76-3. India could sense an opening then. But enter Travis Head. He completely took the game away from India. Head was positive in his footwork. He tore into anything loose of which there were many on offer.
#5 The Head and Smith show:
Head cut ferociously and drove on the rise. Indian bowlers had no clue about his onslaught. He raced away to a sparkling ton. Head became the first batsman to score a century in the finals of WTC. Steve Smith provided able company to Head as he is also on the verge of a century. Both the batters may have played and missed a few but remained unbeaten at the end of the day.
#6 The day’s verdict:
At 327-3, Australia is strongly placed at the end of day one. Both the set batters are looking in ominous touch. If India don’t manage to apply brakes in the first session tomorrow, they will be staring at a very long road ahead.
