“IND vs AUS final loading!”- Twitter fans react as Australia becomes 1st team to qualify for World Test Championship Final
If Australia shock India, then India will be keeping an eye on the two Tests played between Sri Lanka and New Zealand.
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IND vs AUS 3rd Test in Indore
On the back of Nathan Lyon‘s 11 scalps combined with Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne‘s nervy at first but later a smooth run chase, Australia pulled off a nine-wicket victory by chasing a mere 76 run-target. This comfortable win secured them a berth at this year’s ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final, which is scheduled to take place in June at the Oval.
For India to find a place in the final will be depending on the fourth Test, which is going to be played at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, starting March 9. India have to win the final Test to advance to the final.
At the same time, if Australia shock India, then India will be keeping an eye on the two Tests played between Sri Lanka and New Zealand. Sri Lanka will be playing in New Zealand, and if they secure a 2-0 victory, then they will snatch the final berth from Rohit Sharma and co.
Led by Pat Cummins, Australia were dominant during the ongoing WTC period (2021-2023). The Aussies stand atop, having won 11 of their 18 Tests and with their latest victory, they have collected 68.52 points, while India follow them with 60.29 points.
Related: Jasprit Bumrah set to undergo back surgery in New Zealand, likely to miss WTC final
Check how Twitter reacted to Australia becoming the first team to qualify for the World Test Championship final
At the Indore Test, the 76 runs looked like a mere target but not in front of Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin- most of the fans thought this. Owing to major collapses in the series-especially when the first two Tests ended within Day 3 due to the Indian spin duo- there were hopes that India somehow will create a disaster. And when Ravichandran Ashwin dismissed Usman Khawaja for a duck, the match suddenly looked as if Australia will have to fight super hard.
But that was the only wicket the Aussies lost. Travis Head and Marnus Labuschage, without breaking a sweat, drove the score past the target. Head and Labuschagne scored 49* and 28* respectively. India have already retained the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2-1.
“When you play on challenging pitches, you have to be brave. I just felt we allowed their bowlers to bowl on one particular spot. Not taking any credit away from their bowlers, especially Nathan Lyon. He was brilliant. He kept challenging us. Hitting the right length,” captain Rohit Sharma said after the embarrassing defeat. Only Cheteshwar Pujara, from India’s batting lineup, could cross the 50-run mark. Apart from him, no Indian batters could even reach 30 in both innings.
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Gouri Das
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