The first day of the World Test Championship Final between India and Australia witnessed a relentless onslaught from the Australian batsmen, leaving Team India searching for answers. Steven Smith (95*) and Travis Head (146*) took charge, propelling their side to a commanding position at the end of play.
After opting to bowl, India managed to pick up three wickets in the second session, keeping Australia at bay momentarily. However, Head and Smith orchestrated a remarkable recovery, unleashing an onslaught that saw them accumulate an unbeaten partnership of 251 runs. The final session was particularly brutal, as Australia amassed 157 runs without losing a wicket.
The conditions at the Oval played a significant role in Australia’s dominance. The pitch, now baked by the sun, lost its earlier unpredictability, reducing the assistance for the Indian bowlers. The flattened surface allowed Head and Smith to assert their dominance, with India struggling to create meaningful chances.
Earlier in the day, India won the toss and chose to field. They made an early breakthrough with Usman Khawaja departing for a duck. However, Marnus Labuschagne and David Warner stabilized the innings before falling to Shardul Thakur and Mohammed Shami respectively.
By the close of play, Australia had reached a commanding total of 327-3, with Head and Smith showcasing their batting prowess. India’s new ball spell at the end of the day failed to yield any breakthroughs, leaving them eager to make amends on Day 2.
As it stands, Australia holds the upper hand in the match, with India needing to mount a strong comeback to regain momentum. The exclusion of Ravichandran Ashwin from the playing XI raised eyebrows, and India’s four-seam attack, accompanied by Ravindra Jadeja, failed to make the desired impact.
Head’s explosive innings and Smith’s resilient batting have put Australia in a dominant position. India will need to regroup, reassess their strategies, and find ways to break the partnership early on Day 2 to stage a comeback.
The match is finely poised, with India facing an uphill battle to turn the tide in their favor. A lot is at stake, and only time will tell if they can seize the momentum and mount a comeback in this crucial contest.