“End this torture”- India’s top-order failure in WTC Final draws criticism from fans

After losing the top four batters, India almost lost Ajinjya Rahane too.

Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli (Image via Twitter)

India playing an ICC knockout match and the top order failing to deliver is nothing new for the fans to witness. In almost all these crucial games, India’s top order has failed to step up to the challenge and the World Tesh Championship (WTC) Final against Australia was no exception. As Australia posted a massive 469/10 in their first innings, India’s top order- Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Cheteshwar Pujara, and Shubman Gill– was expected to provide a good start.

But none of the four players performed and left the job to the middle order. While Rohit Sharma fell after scoring 15 off 26 balls, Shubman Gill was sent back after he scored 13. Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli, meanwhile, were dismissed for 14 each. Australia captain Pat Cummins got the best out of his Indian counterpart while Scott Boland and Cameron Green took out Gill and Pujara. Virat Kohli was dismissed by Mitchell Starc.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOGuwjT7vOI&pp=ygUOd3RjIGZpbmFsIGxpdmU%3D

The former India captain was taken aback by the bounce and ended up gloving the short ball from Starc to the second slip. Steve Smith completed a brilliant catch to get rid of Kohli. With India’s innings tumbling yet again, fans were left frustrated. Most of them question this no-show from the top order and demanded a change in the lineup.

Check out the reactions below.

End this torture, and end it soon please.
— Gurkirat Singh Gill (@gurkiratsgill) June 8, 2023

https://twitter.com/on_drive23/status/1666824953331871745?s=20

When we bowl, it becomes a flat deck. When we bat, it becomes a minefield. 🤣🤣
— Jaanvi🏏 (@that_shutterbug) June 8, 2023

Once again, the superstars have left the lower order to do the heavy lifting!
— Arani Basu (@AraniBasuTOI) June 8, 2023

Pujara ko to yeh bhi nahi bol sakte ki iska saara dhyan IPL aur ads karne mein rehta hai 🤣
— Prithvi (@Prithvi10_) June 8, 2023

Pujara scored heavily in county last year also. And mind it Division 2, mostly comprises of mediocre attacks
— Kushan Sarkar (@kushansarkar) June 8, 2023

Why does Pujara spend months playing in England if he continues to get dismissed on such kind of deliveries? With his level of experience, his ball judgment should be more refined.
— Shivani Shukla (@iShivani_Shukla) June 8, 2023

पुजारा भाई तीन महीने इंग्लैंड में पड़े रहने का क्या फायदा, इतने रन तो घर में पड़े रहकर जलेबी थेपला खाकर भी बना लेते!
— Raja Babu (@GaurangBhardwa1) June 8, 2023

The gulf in quality between the bowling "AND" batting of the two teams is on display.

Result no longer a doubt. Deserving winners Australia.

Indian fans, the team or the players don't hurt you..the expectations that they will do something extraordinary hurts.

Keep…
— Anuj Nitin Prabhu (@APTalksCricket) June 8, 2023

Also Read: “When will Whyrat Kohli bat?”- Fans react as Cristiano Ronaldo die-hard fan IShowspeed spotted in stands wearing India’s jersey during WTC Final

Ajinkya Rahane gets a life in WTC Final

ajinkya rahane survives — Ajinkya Rahane survived as Pat Cummins oversteps (Image via Twitter)

After losing the top four batters, India almost lost Ajinkya Rahane too. Australia captain Pat Cummins trapped the batter LBW. However, as it turned out, Cummins had overstepped and Rahane got a life. But the batter could not save himself from getting hit on the thumb. Rahane looked in a lot of pain as a good-length delivery shot up and hit his right thumb.

Nevertheless, the veteran batter who is making a comeback on the Test side with WTC Final has implemented the rescue act with Ravindra Jadeja at the other end.