AUS vs IND, WTC Final 2023: Australia are certainly, ahead of India at stumps on Day 3 but the latter would be pretty happy with how they fought back with both bat and ball in the WTC final at Oval Cricket Ground.
India had lost wicket-keeper batter, S Bharat early on the second ball of the day and was under pressure, straightway. However, Shardul Thakur, whose place was questioned in the playing XI for this match, rose to the occasion.
He joined hands with Ajinkya Rahane and saved India from, perhaps, losing the Test match. Thakur copped several blows on his body as the pitch had variable bounce and the Australian bowlers were firing on all cylinders.
However, he fought it hard and gave great support to Rahane, who too looked resolute at the other end. Much to the delight of the fans, luck was also on their side as the duo forged an outstanding 109-run partnership for the 7th wicket and helped India come back into the game.
Unfortunately, Rahane couldn’t go on to reach his century as Cummins accounted for his wicket in the 62nd over. The former Indian skipper departed after scoring a phenomenal knock of 89 off 129 deliveries. Thakur also departed soon after scoring a handy half-century.
Australia Ended Day 3 at 123/4 & Lead of 296 Runs
Thanks to those valuable knocks, India managed to score 296 runs in their first innings but still were trailing by 173 runs. India then started off strongly with the ball as the bowlers were right on the money. Both Warner (1) and Khawaja (13) departed cheaply.
Towards the final session, Jadeja got enough turns from the pitch to trouble the Australian batters, and, therefore, got rid of both the centurions from the first innings i.e., Steve Smith (34) and Travis Head (18).
Labuschagne, though, is still out there for a well-made 41 off 118. Australia has lost four wickets for 123 at the Stumps on day 3 and has a substantial lead of 296 runs.
India is still way behind in the game but they would be happy with the fact that they are still in it.
AUS vs IND WTC Final 2023 Day 3 Highlights:
Brief Scores: Australia 469 all-out (Travis Head 163, Steve Smith 121, Alex Carey 48; Mohammed Siraj 4-108, Shardul Thakur 2-83) & 123/4 (Marnus Labuschagne 41*, Steven Smith 34; Ravindra Jadeja 2-25) lead India 296 all-out (Ajinkya Rahane 89, Shardul Thakur 51; Pat Cummins 3-83) by 296 runs
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