After a terrible outing on Day 1 of the World Test Championship 2023 Final, India was looking for a good start on Day 2. Australia had managed 327 runs for the loss of 3 wickets on Day 1, with Steve Smith and Travis Head well set in the middle.
On Day 2, India had the perfect start as they got four wickets in the first session. Head and Smith combined for 285 runs for the 4th wicket partnership, having scored 163 and 121 runs, respectively. After that, India bagged a few back-to-back wickets putting Australia on the back foot.
Alex Carey played a small cameo of 48 runs as Australia managed to get to a score of 469 runs in their first innings. In the Indian team's bowling unit, Mohammed Siraj stood out prominently with an impressive four-wicket haul in the first innings. In addition, Mohammed Shami and Shardul Thakur each claimed two wickets, while Ravindra Jadeja contributed with one wicket. Regrettably, Umesh Yadav faced difficulties in making an impact and ended up without any wickets to his name.
India crumble in their batting innings
During the second innings, Rohit and Shubman Gill got quick runs, but their partnership came to an abrupt halt when both openers were dismissed in consecutive overs, resulting in a modest total of 30 runs. Soon after, Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli suffered dismissals as well, compounding the challenges faced by the team.
India was four wickets down at 71 runs when Ajinkya Rahane and Jadeja put on a crucial partnership. They scored 71 runs in partnership, with Rahane acting as the innings' backbone. The star batter survived a close call as he was dismissed on a no-ball., but he continued to play on.
On the other end, just as Jadeja was looking to take charge of the innings, Nathan Lyon dismissed him after he had scored 48 runs in 51 balls. KS Bharat then joined Rahane, and the two of them made it through the day. India now has a score of 151 runs with the loss of 5 wickets. They now trail by 318 runs.
Here is how fans reacted
Ipl khelo tumlog π₯Ήππππ
β IIT BOMBAY (@GurnamMandeep) June 8, 2023
Gill be like - Jay shah, Ahmedabad me match shift karwawo mazak nhi ho rha ab
β Crickk (@hermendhar49) June 8, 2023
Last day of WTC final tomorrow π
β Sourav Roy (@roy183sourav) June 8, 2023
300 tak le jao π
β Ro Verse (@vintage_hitman) June 8, 2023
Atleast follow on bacha lo ππ»
Hoping for a Shardul Thakur magic' with the bat on day 3π€βοΈ
β Ankit Salunkhe (@salunkhe8_ankit) June 8, 2023
We're seriously playing WTC final?π₯²
β Mission WTC Final (@rohancric947) June 8, 2023
Follow on coming in the 1st session of Day 3 π
β Johnnyy (@twitz_9) June 8, 2023
Anushka and Ritika came to the field to support their husbands,and we have seen the result.On the other hand, Rivaba is supporting her husband at home, performing puja. We are witnessing the outcome..#WTCFinal2023
β ΰ€ΰ€Ύΰ€ ΰ€Έΰ€Ύΰ€Ήΰ€¬ (@Bhai_saheb) June 8, 2023
Thanks to CSK bloods Rahane and Jadeja for saving this team from humiliation π₯π₯ππ
β Bakri Player (@cric_nerd2) June 8, 2023
Credits to Rahane and Jadeja that we've reached 150. Now India should look to avoid the follow and then bat through the test match to avoid a loss. Win seems difficult but hope toh haiβ€οΈππ»
β Shahzeb Khan (@theshahzebkhan) June 8, 2023
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