World Test Championships final has reached its 4th day as Australia aim to extend the lead. Pat Cummins will want his side to bat India out of the contest and hope to take home the title and become the 1st team to win all the ICC titles. India on the other hand will want to keep the Australians under 400 with the pitch still decent to bat on despite the erratic way it has played in certain times.
The story as it happened –
Australia went into the dugout at the end of day 3 with an overall lead of 296 with Labuschagne and Green batting. The Australians had taken a 173 run lead after bowling out India for 296 in their 1st dig after the Aussies had scored 469. For the Indian team it was Rahane and Thakur with fifties that dug India out of the hole.
Kohli pranks Gill –
Australia had made a slow start to the game on the 4th day with runs coming in a trickle. The cameras spotted Kohli who was fielding in the slips pull a prank on Gill. The former Indian captain scared the youngster with the most schoolboy like prank which was caught on camera.
India get two wickets before lunch –
Umesh Yadav got India its first wicket when he had Labuschagne caught at slip by Pujara for 41. The Australian number 3 was tested the entire 3rd day with some hostile bowling by the Indian team. Labuschagne’s knock came of 126 balls with 4 fours. Jadeja then got the wicket of Green for 25 off 95 balls with 4 fours in his knock. At the time of writing Australia were 369 ahead with Carey and Starc batting.
India face an uphill task –
The pitch at Oval has been somewhat of a mystery with the batters getting hit with some erratic balls. Many are still fancying India to chase a target close to 400 if they can build a few partnerships. India will reply on the openers Rohit Sharma and Gill as well as Pujara, Kohli and Rahane to come good. Although the task is difficult the final few sessions will be worth tuning into.