By India Today Sports Desk: India quick bowler Mohammed Siraj disturbed the napping Marnus Labuschagne by dismissing David Warner on Day 3 of the WTC Final at The Oval, London on Friday.
On an ideal size ball from Siraj, Waner acquired a thick edge and wicket-keeper KS Bharat made no mistake within the fourth over of Australia’s second innings.
While Warner was making his means again for one, Labuschagne had hit his toes up within the dressing room and had his eyes closed attempting to catch a nap. As quickly as he heard the noise from the gang, No.3 Labuschagne needed to rise up and stroll in to bat.
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In an exhilarating show of batting earlier within the day, Ajinkya Rahane and Shardul Thakur propelled India’s fightback on Day 3. The resilient seventh-wicket partnership of 109 runs between Rahane and Thakur helped India attain 296 in reply to Australia’s 469.
Australia’s tempo assault got here out sturdy, with Scott Boland claiming an early wicket by dismissing KS Bharat. Pat Cummins troubled Thakur, putting him on the forearm twice in consecutive deliveries, necessitating the intervention of the physio. The Australian pacers maintained a disciplined line and size, utilising the additional bounce to maintain India batters on their toes. Thakur had a few fortunate escapes, being dropped within the slip cordon.
While Thakur confirmed indicators of discomfort, he remained decided and supplied invaluable assist to Rahane. Rahane demonstrated his technical prowess, enjoying the ball late and accumulating boundaries off Boland and Cummins. He reached his twenty sixth Test fifty with a strong six off the Australian captain.
Despite dealing with difficult deliveries, Rahane and Thakur took benefit of unfastened deliveries and scored at a commendable price. They successfully rotated the strike, making certain the partnership maintained momentum. The spotlight of their innings was the century partnership, achieved at a strike price of over 83.
Rahane had a stroke of luck when he was dropped by Warner at first slip, and he capitalised on the chance. He took on Nathan Lyon, smashing boundaries to propel India previous the 250-run mark. Thakur, who scored a fifty, additionally acquired a reprieve as replays revealed Cummins had overstepped after the batter had reviewed a leg-before determination. After the exceptional stand, which gave India a glimmer of hope, India folded on 296, trailing Australia by 173 runs.
