The World Test Championship final is taking place in England, and the initial two days of the match were extremely challenging for the Indian team. Despite winning the coin toss, India struggled to gain control over the game.

After losing the toss and electing to bat first, Australia made an impressive beginning. Travis Head (163) and Steve Smith (121) both recorded centuries, propelling the Australian team to a total of 469 runs in their opening innings.

Australia scored 121 runs in their initial innings before being bowled out for 469 runs. Among the Indian bowlers, Mohammed Siraj stood out with four wickets, while Shardul Thakur and Mohammed Shami claimed two wickets each. Additionally, Ravindra Jadeja contributed with one wicket.

Australia found themselves in a commanding position with a formidable total of 469 runs. Simultaneously, their bowlers delivered an exceptional performance, putting India's top batting lineup under immense pressure and tilting the match in Australia's favour.

However, the Australian bowlers displayed resilience and determination. Ajinkya Rahane (89) and Shardul Thakur (51) emerged as saviours for the Indian innings. Their remarkable batting not only saved the team from a potential follow-on but also alleviated the pressure on the batting lineup.

Indeed, the English pitch exhibited early bounce right from the beginning. However, it appeared to have increased even more during India's batting. Australia's fast bowlers took advantage of this and troubled the Indian batsmen significantly.

Ajinkya Rahane had a crucial task ahead of him to rescue the innings under immense pressure. Rahane showcased his brilliance with an outstanding performance, breathing life into the match. Unfortunately, he sustained an injury when a bouncing ball struck his toe.

Ajinkya Rahane's commendable innings of 89, despite suffering a finger injury, has received widespread acclaim. His wife, Radhika Dhopavkar, also expressed admiration for her husband's performance.

In a social media post, Radhika expressed her admiration, stating, “Despite your swollen finger, you refused a scan to protect your mindset and focused on batting, displaying incredible selflessness and determination. With unwavering resilience and commitment, you took your place at the crease, inspiring us all. I'm forever proud of your unwavering team spirit, my resilient partner. Love you endlessly!”

During their first innings, the Indian team encountered numerous challenges. The bouncing ball posed a significant threat, leading to the dismissal of several Indian batters. However, Shardul Thakur and Ajinkya Rahane emerged as the saviours of the innings in this difficult situation.

In the initial innings, India managed to accumulate a total of 296 runs while losing all their wickets in 69.4 overs. Alongside Rahane and Thakur, Ravindra Jadeja contributed with a notable score of 48 runs.

Tags :Ajinkya RahaneRadhika dhopavkarWTC 2023 Final