Ajinkya Rahane’s Resistance is crushed by Cameron Green with a screamer on 89
On Day 3 of the ICC World Test Championship final against Australia, Ajinkya Rahane and Shardul Thakur had formed a significant partnership for the seventh wicket to keep India in the game. Rahane hit 89 and seemed to be headed for a well-earned hundred while still playing excellent defense despite having his fingers pummeled by a barrage of short deliveries.
However, Rahane’s resistance was broken early in the second session when Cameron Green managed to hold onto a spectacular catch at gully. The middle-order hitter attempted to punch a length delivery from Pat Cummins and received a heavy outside edge, which sent the ball to Green’s right. Green reacted quickly and sprang to his right to pick the ball out of thin air with one hand.
Rahane produced a fantastic 89 off 129 with the assistance of 11 fours and a six, leaving him in awe as he had to make the lengthy trek back to the dressing room.
The 109-run stand between Rahane and Thakur for the seventh wicket was also broken by the catch.Thakur subsequently reached his half-century, but the wickets started to fall once again, and India’s first innings ended with them being bowled out for 296 in 69.4 overs.
Rahane scored the most runs, but Thakur added significantly with 51 off 109, an innings that included six fours.
India averted a follow-on but ultimately gave away a huge 173-run advantage to Australia.
India chose to bowl first and got off to a strong start by dismissing Usman Khawaja for a duck. David Warner then played a respectable comeback, followed by Travis Head’s brilliant 163 and Steven Smith’s 121.
Australia’s first innings ended with them being bowled out for 469.
In response, India cheaply lost Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, and Cheteshwar Pujara. To give some resistance, Ajinkya Rahane and Ravindra Jadeja formed a strong connection, but Nathan Lyon ended it late in the day’s play.
