Australia claimed the coveted World Test Championship title by delivering a commanding performance, dismantling India on the fifth day of the final at The Oval.
India’s hopes of chasing down a record target of 444 relied heavily on Virat Kohli, unbeaten on 44 overnight, but the Indian captain fell for 49 in the seventh over of the day.
Kohli attempted a loose drive against Scott Boland, only to be caught brilliantly by Steve Smith at second slip. In the same over, Ravindra Jadeja also edged Boland behind, further solidifying Australia’s grip on the game.
The Australian team efficiently wrapped up the lower order before lunch, dismissing India for 234 and securing victory by a substantial margin of 209 runs. Boland finished with figures of 3-46, while off-spinner Nathan Lyon claimed an impressive 4-41.
This triumph makes Australia the second-ever winner of the World Test Championship, following in the footsteps of New Zealand’s success two years ago. The Australian team now carries the title of the best Test team in the world into the highly anticipated Ashes series, generating immense excitement among cricket enthusiasts.
Throughout the final, Australia displayed their dominance, apart from a few fleeting moments of Indian resistance. They have been in control since the early stages of the match, and their victory is well-deserved. This emphatic performance showcases why Australia poses a significant threat to England, led by Ben Stokes.
Their middle order is formidable, their pace bowling is potent, and spinner Nathan Lyon consistently poses challenges. Additionally, their slip cordon demonstrates exceptional fielding.
However, England has likely identified some weaknesses in the Australian team. Openers David Warner and Usman Khawaja have struggled in English conditions in the past. There are also concerns regarding Australia’s backup fast bowling options and their collective temperament under pressure.
Although the result of the final was ultimately one-sided, the match itself was an excellent display of high-intensity Test cricket. Anticipation is already building for the upcoming Ashes series, set to commence in Birmingham on Friday.
Scott Boland, who made a remarkable impact during the last Ashes series 18 months ago, has showcased his skills once again. With his accuracy, relentlessness, and ability to generate seam movement, Boland is poised to make a significant contribution this time around.
Virat Kohli made a composed start to his innings before being lured into a drive outside off stump by Boland. The resulting thick edge flew to the right of the second slip, where Steve Smith displayed his brilliance by taking a stunning catch with both hands while parallel to the ground.
Two balls later, the audible sound of Jadeja’s edge reverberated across the ground. KS Bharat narrowly avoided dismissal from his first delivery, as a deflection off the glove evaded the first slip.
Ajinkya Rahane fought valiantly until Mitchell Starc dismissed him on 46 with a well-executed drive. Shardul Thakur fell victim to Nathan Lyon, losing his wicket lbw, while Umesh Yadav succumbed to Starc’s short-pitched bowling. Bharat’s attempted swipe resulted in a caught and bowled dismissal by Lyon, delaying the lunch break as Mohammed Siraj reverse-swept Lyon to point.
Australia celebrated their triumph on the field, clutching the Test mace and the prize money of $1.6 million (£1.27 million). Their attention now turns to the oldest and most revered prize in cricket – The Ashes. India, on the other hand, has suffered defeat in both World Test Championship finals. Despite being a powerhouse in global cricket, it is astonishing that they have not won a world title in any format since 2011.
India can attribute their loss to the absence of key players due to injuries, with KL Rahul, Jasprit Bumrah, and Rishabh Pant all missing from the team at The Oval. Questions will also arise regarding their decision to omit off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, currently ranked as the world’s number-one bowler.
Ultimately, the match’s outcome was determined by Australia’s dominant batting performance on day one and their subsequent dismantling of India’s top order on day two. India showed resilience in fighting back and extending the contest as far as they did.
India’s formidable record at home, where they haven’t lost a series since 2012, positions them as strong contenders in the Test Championship.
They will be favourites to reach the final at Lord’s in 2025. However, their immediate focus will shift to the upcoming 50-over World Cup, set to take place in India in October and November this year, providing them with a golden opportunity to end their prolonged trophy drought.
