The wait for an ICC trophy for the Indian fans continued as the Rohit Sharma-led side lost in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023 final against Australia on Day 5 at the Oval in London.
After reaching a score of 164/3, India experienced a sudden and dramatic collapse, losing 7 wickets during the morning session and ultimately succumbing to a crushing 209-run defeat. This marked India’s second consecutive loss in a WTC final, as they had previously been defeated by New Zealand in the inaugural edition’s title clash back in 2021.
The turning point occurred when Virat Kohli went after a wide delivery outside off and ended up nicking it, resulting in a brilliant catch by Steve Smith at second slip. This turned out to be the decisive blow. In the same over, Scott Boland struck again, dismissing Ravindra Jadeja. From that point on, the match became completely one-sided.
Despite being expensive, Mitchell Starc managed to dismiss Ajinkya Rahane, who was India’s top run-scorer in the game. The tailenders couldn’t offer much resistance, as Australia’s esteemed offspinner, Nathan Lyon, ended up with a four-wicket haul. Australia, after being asked to bat first, took control with a big total. India spent the entire Test playing catch-up, and none of their batters were able to convert their promising starts.
Here is how Twitter reacted:
Congratulations, Australia! 🇦🇺
A roaring victory in the ICC World Test Championship 2023 Final 🎉#WTC23 | #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/VE01bWheMQ
— ICC (@ICC) June 11, 2023
India in 11 ICC Finals:
Under Dhoni’s captaincy – Won 3 out of 4 finals
Under all other captains – Won 1 out of 7 finals #WTC2023Final
— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) June 11, 2023
The better team in these conditions won. Well played Australia.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) June 11, 2023
Well played and congratulations Australia on winning the WTC Title 👏🏽 They were the better team across 5 days and deserved the win! #WTCFinal2023 pic.twitter.com/dbx0ogUFQR
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) June 11, 2023
Australia aHead of the game after a third session on day one that saw 150 runs for no wicket off 34 overs. The Indian bowlers coming off a T20 tournament were short of long format fitness. That was the difference. #INDvAU
— Brad Hogg (@Brad_Hogg) June 11, 2023
India in ICC events since CT 2013 triumph
T20 World Cup 2014 Runners up
World Cup 2015 semi-finalists
T20 World Cup 2016 semi-finalists
Champions Trophy 2017 Finalists
World Cup 2019 semi-finalists
WTC final 2021 Runners up
T20 World Cup 2021 Group Stages
T20 World Cup 2022…— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang) June 11, 2023
Australia thrash India by 209 runs #cricket #WTCFinal #AUSvIND #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/NyHTsD16V6
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) June 11, 2023
🏆 ICC World Test Championship
🏆 ICC Men's World Cup
🏆 ICC Men's T20 World Cup
🏆 ICC Champions Trophy
🏆 ICC Women's World Cup
🏆 ICC Women's T20 World CupAustralia is the first nation to win all six major ICC tournaments.#WTC23 pic.twitter.com/XKOOZlnNhN
— Nic Savage (@nic_savage1) June 11, 2023
A match fitting of the occasion!
Australia win the World Test Championship #WTC23
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) June 11, 2023
AUSTRALIA BECOMES THE FIRST TEAM TO WIN ALL THE ICC TROPHIES. pic.twitter.com/iKejdrZGA5
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) June 11, 2023
The official coronation of the Pat Cummins era. The eventual margin of victory reflective of how dominant Australia have been for large periods of this #WTC2023Final pic.twitter.com/MK4YOMlSP5
— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) June 11, 2023
https://twitter.com/kaustats/status/1667858892817334272
World Cup in 1987.
World Cup in 1999.
World Cup in 2003.
Champions Trophy in 2006
World Cup in 2007.
Champions Trophy in 2009.
World Cup in 2015
T20 World Cup in 2021.
World Test Championship in 2023.Australia has completed the ICC Trophy. pic.twitter.com/9w7RMfxJDq
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) June 11, 2023
YEAH THE BOYYSSSSSS!!!!!!#WTCFinal2023
— australian womens cricket with very little context (@awcwvlc) June 11, 2023