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The ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final has been dominated by the Aussies so far. Despite being in put in to bat first by India skipper Rohit Sharma, Australia managed to post 469 in their first innings, thanks to centuries from Travis Head (163) and Steve Smith (121). In response, the Indian openers had got off to a brisk start. However, their joy was short-lived as Rohit, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara all failed to make a significant contribution with the bat.
Had it not been for the 71 off 100 balls stand between Ravindra Jadeja and Ajinkya Rahane, things would have looked far worse for Team India. But just when India were closing in on ending the day on a bit of a high and ignite hopes of some sort of a comeback in the summit, India’s top-scorer of the innings so far, left-haded Jadeja fell to the off spinner Nathan Lyon for 48. India ended Day 2 at 151/5, still trailing by 318 runs with Rahane unbeaten on 29 off 71 and KS Bharat batting on 5 off 14.
Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Scott Boland, Cameron Green and Nathan Lyon have all picked up a wicket each in what has been a disciplined bowling effort by the Aussies. Moreover, the wicket also seems to be changing drastically at the Oval in London and all things suggest it would need a miraculous effort from the Indian middle and lower order to get as close to the total as possible before thinking of a way to save the Test.
Not much batting remain after the current duo with only Shardul Thakur’s ability somewhat recognised with the batter. But will he be able to make an impact against this Australian attack in this high-pressure under testing conditions when he is called upon to do so will be the big question. For now, Rahane and Bharat would want to whether the storm in the first hour when play begins on what is Day 3 of the Test match on Friday (June 9).
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