Australia win maiden WTC title: With all its financial clout and fanfare around its cricket, India once again fell short when it mattered most, continuing its dismal performance in ICC competitions with a 209-run thrashing at the hands of Australia in the WTC final on Sunday.
India had only themselves to blame for yet another defeat in a major competition because Australia was obviously the superior team on all fronts. India won its previous ICC championship back in 2013, which marked their second straight loss in the World Tennis Championship final after losing to New Zealand two years prior.
On the final day, India lost seven wickets for an additional 70 runs.While the absence of R Aswhin was the main topic of conversation on the first day, India's star-studded batting lineup was largely to blame for their loss in the championship match. In the crucial game, the top four players, Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, and Kohli, came up short. Indian supporters entered day five of the chase for a record 444 runs at The Oval full of optimism because to Kohli (49) and Ajinkya Rahane (46).Boland's dismissal of Kohli and Jadeja (0) in the seventh over of the morning, though, effectively ended India's chances of winning. India began the day at 164 for three and needed another 280 runs to pull off the unlikely victory.If India was to come close to reaching the enormous mark, Kohli, who had appeared to be in excellent form on day four, needed to score a big hundred. There was always going to be an odd ball with your name on it on a surface with varying bounce, and that is what occurred to both Kohli and Jadeja.Boland's dogged pursuit around the offstump has given the Australian attack a new dimension.
The seamer pitched one wide while bowling from the pavilion end, and Kohli attempted to drive only to be stopped by a leaping Steve Smith at second slip. After two balls, he got one to seam away from the wicket, and Jadeja gave the wicketkeeper an easy catch, leaving India at 179 for five.K S Bharat then joined Rahane, who continued to energise the fans by hitting a pair of stunning straight drives against Mitchell Starc.Soon after, Rahane went hard for a ball that he could have left to get caught behind, which would have sealed his team's doom, and Starc quickly pulled his length back.
The seasoned batter was left shaking his head in disappointment after taking the incorrect swing.After only five balls, Nathan Lyon lbw Shardul Thakur, bringing the total to 213 for seven. Although it appeared that the game might continue till noon, the Indian tail made it easier for the Australians and they were bowled out within the additional half-hour of play.