The Day 3 of the World Test Championship final witnessed a gripping battle between India and Australia, with the match swinging back and forth. A resilient century partnership between Ajinkya Rahane and Shardul Thakur provided hope for India, but Australia managed to maintain their dominant position, ending the day at 123/4 with a lead of 296 runs.
The day began with the Australian pacers, using their height and bounce, posing challenges for the Indian batsmen. KS Bharat fell early, bowled by Scott Boland, while Shardul Thakur and Ajinkya Rahane faced some hostile deliveries, enduring blows on their forearms and fingers. However, the seventh-wicket pair fought back with positive batting, defying the Australian attack.
The Australian pacers provided opportunities, but catches in the slip area failed to materialise, giving Thakur and Rahane another chance. Rahane survived a leg-before decision after Australia’s review revealed an umpire’s call, while Thakur benefited from an overstepped no-ball when Pat Cummins trapped him lbw.
The partnership between Thakur and Rahane flourished, taking India past the 250-run mark and reaching a century stand with a strike rate of over 83. The duo displayed resilience and scored at a brisk pace, adding valuable runs to India’s total before the lunch break.
However, Australia tightened their grip in the second session, dismissing the Indian innings quickly and reaching 23/1 at tea. Pat Cummins proved to be the wrecker-in-chief, claiming the crucial wicket of Rahane with a brilliant catch by Cameron Green at gully. Thakur registered his third successive fifty at The Oval but eventually fell as Australia maintained a strong hold on the game, taking a lead of 173 runs.
In the third session, the Indian pace duo of Mohammed Siraj and Mohammed Shami troubled the Australian batsmen with the new ball, exploiting the bounce and inducing uncertainties. Siraj dismissed David Warner, who attempted a drive away from his body.
While Labuschagne and Khawaja survived a challenging period with plays and misses and hesitant running between the wickets. Khawaja, however, fell early in the session, looking to accelerate the scoring rate after facing numerous dot balls.
Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne then steadied the Australian innings, releasing the pressure with regular boundaries. As the ball aged and the field spread out, Smith and Labuschagne accumulated runs comfortably, extending the lead past 50 and crossing the 250-run mark.
The Indian bowlers struggled to make breakthroughs, and the partnership grew slowly. However, against the run of play, Smith attempted a big shot off Ravindra Jadeja but ended up giving a catch to the bowler.
With Travis Head at the crease, India employed a combination of Siraj’s short-ball tactics and Jadeja exploiting the rough patches outside the off stump. Head survived a couple of chances, including a dropped catch resulting in a streaky six, but Jadeja eventually dismissed him off his own bowling. Labuschagne and Green safely played the remaining overs of the day without further damage.
Australia remained in control at the end of Day 3, with a sizeable lead and six wickets in hand. India fought back strongly, but the task of overturning the match still lies ahead. Day 4 promises to be crucial as both teams strive to gain the upper hand and determine the outcome of this thrilling contest.
Also Read: WTC 2023 Final: Virat Kohli As ‘The Saviour,’ Top 3 Virat Knocks Against Australia
