Australia held the upper hand at the end of the second day of the World Test Championship (WTC) final at The Oval in London on Thursday. The Australian pacers bundled out India for 151 for 5 after Ajinkya Rahane and KS Bharath, batting on 29 and 5 respectively, posted 469 in the first innings.
Rahane is the last specialist batsman, with India still needing 119 runs in the first innings to avoid the follow-on. Mumbai and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) batsmen were relieved after Australian skipper Pat Cummins was dismissed lbw early in their innings.
In the final session of the second day’s play, the score was 88 for 4 in 22 overs and the umpire had already raised his finger but Rahane reviewed the decision. However, much to Rahane’s relief, replays showed that Cummins had in fact over-stepped and the delivery was deemed a ‘no-ball’.
See Ajinkya Rahane survived after Pat Cummins was lbw…
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However, on the last ball of the same over, Cummins also hit a painful blow on Rahane’s finger. The Indian physio immediately went to the ground and bandaged Rahane’s finger, but the blow affected Rahane’s rhythm for the rest of the innings.
Watch Ajinkya Rahane Injured the next day…
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Commentator Harsha Bhogle also felt that the finger injury affected Rahane’s rhythm. “Once again, Jadeja looked to be India’s best batsman and is now in the top 6. And till that finger injury, Rahane looked smooth and in great touch. But the top-order is a matter of concern and will need to convert good starts into big scores.
Once again, Jadeja looked to be India’s best batsman and is now in the top 6. And till that finger injury, Rahane looked smooth and in great touch. But the top-order is a matter of concern and it needs to convert good starts into big scores.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) June 8, 2023
Meanwhile, all five Australian bowlers have picked up a wicket each. Australian fast bowler Scott Boland said after the end of the second day’s play, “We are strong after two days, the pitch is a bit up and down and hopefully it will be difficult for India to bat tomorrow.”
Boland said of the uneven bounce on the oval track, “It felt like in the middle, some balls were moving, putting a couple low.”