At the end of Day 4 of the World Test Championship’s summit clash, Australia found themselves in a commanding position against India. They had set India a challenging target of 444 runs to win in just over four sessions and managed to dismiss India’s top three batsmen by the end of the day.
Australia began Day 4 with a lead of 296 runs and had six wickets remaining. In the morning session, India displayed discipline in their bowling and were rewarded early on when Marnus Labuschagne was caught in 🍰the cordon off an excellent away-seamer delivered by Umesh Yadav.
Despite this setback, Cameron Green and Alex Carey put up a determined resistance. However, Green’s innings came to an end when he unintentionally played the ball onto his stumps while attempting to defend against Ravindra Jadeja’s delivery. Adding to India’s frustration, Mitchell Starc and Carey accelerated the scoring rate, piling on quick runs. Pat Cummins then made the decisive call to declare the innings, gra𒁃nting Australia a s𓆏ubstantial lead of 443 runs.
India made a strong start as openers Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma maintained a rapid scoring rate of nearly 6 runs per over in the first 7 overs before the Tea break. However, Gill’s dismissal created a controversial moment in the Test match. Following his departure, Rohit and Cheteshwar Pujara showcas𒁏ed fluent batting and began rebuilding the innings with a partnership of 51 runs for the second wicket. However, in an unusua🦂l turn of events, both batsmen lost their wickets in uncharacteristic ways.
Despite these setbacks, Ajinkya Rahane and Virat Kohli stabilized the innings. They played cautiously for nearly 20 overs, accumulating 71 runs and successfully reaching the Stumps at the end of the day’s play. This left India with a target of 280 runs to chase on the final day of the summit clash in the WTC.
Here is how Twitter reacted:
Two moments of madness and﷽ India are definitely hurtling🐽 towards the inevitable. Sadly, the case of when and not whether
— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73)
– One Day left.
– India needs 280 runs.
– Australia needs 7 wickets.
– WTC Trophy on hands.Rahane 20* & Kohli 44* fighting hard at Oval,🦄🎉 the battle between The Best vs The Best.
Test cricket at it's absolute best.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns)
Stumps c꧋alled with Kohli, Rahane keeping India in theꦦ hunt! 👊
Follow the Final 👉
— ICC (@ICC)
At Stumps on Day 4, India are 164/3, chasing a massiv♛e total of 444 runs. Day 5 could have been even more enjoyable. But we are still not out yet. 🤞🏻🕉️ 🤍💙
— Ridhima Pathak (@PathakRidhima)
Kohli and Rahane survived the day
Tomorrow we will come again with new hope.— R A T N I S H (@LoyalSachinFan)
100% chance 200% faith 🇮🇳
— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals)
India batters played really well and they showed fight🍸.
Virat Kohli on 44* and Ajinkya Rahane on 20* runs – They are India's hope in this WTC Final.
— CricketMAN2 (@ImTanujSingh)
– India need 280 runs
– Australia need 7 wickets
An exciting 5th day awaits tomorrow 👊
Scorecard:— betvisa69.com (@CricketTimesHQ)
This partnership is reminding me of Adelaide 2014. I hope they (Vijay in that Test, Rahane in this Test wi𒉰th Kohli) stay till the very end at the Oval unlike 9 years ago�♊�🏻.
— Bhawana (@bhawnakohli5)
Stumps on day 4 and Kohli is not out in run chase of ICC finals and bui༒lt an im𝔉portant partnership with Rahane. Virat Kohli carrying the hopes of every Indian.
— Pari (@BluntIndianGal)
//twitter.com/vishesh✅taaa_j1♌5/status/1667579137589129218
This ♚fighting spirit is wꦅhat the Test Team is all about! 🇮🇳
It was only fitting that the Ultimate Test goes into the last day, and our boys aren't giving up a chance at the Throne! 👊🏆
— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets)
– India need 280 runs.
– Australia need 7 wickets.
– An exciting Sunday loading at the Oval with the Test Mace on the line. All eyes on Kohli and Rahane for tomorrow.
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra)
Well poised for a thrilling climax!💪🏻🥳
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL)