India lose its second WTC final
India lost the second World Test Championship final to Australia by 209 runs today, at the Kia Oval in London, with Scott Boland proving to be the wrecker-in-chief on the final day, picking up Kohli and Jadeja in one over.
It was another loss for India in a World Test Championship final. To New Zealand in 2021 and now, to its neighbour, Australia.
India was set a second inning target of 444 at the Oval. Unfortunately, day five ended for India with the scoreboard reading 234, making Australia the winner by 209 runs.
India began the fifth day needing 280 with seven wickets in hand, with the fourth-wicket stand between Kohli and Rahane at 71. However, in the seventh over of the day, Scott Boland took the wickets of both Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja.
Rahane kept up one end for some time. But once he got out, it was a quick end for India, with the match finishing before lunch.
This was Australia’s ninth ICC title, making them the only team to have won at least one of each trophy: five ODI World Cups, two ODI Champions Trophies, one T20 World Cup, and now the World Test Championship.
The 2023-25 World Test Championship cycle will start with the first Ashes test (England versus Australia) on June 16. With respect to India, it will play at home against England, Bangladesh and New Zealand and away against Australia, West Indies, and South Africa, including the next edition of the Border Gavaskar trophy. The final will be played at the Lord’s Cricket Ground in London.
