Despite a good comeback from the Indian bowlers in the first and second sessions on Day 2 of the ongoing World Test Championship (WTC) Final, Australia managed to stay on top with dominant bowling display that kept Indian batters at bay.
The Aussie attack got stuck into India’s top order to leave Rohit Sharma’s side five down and still trailing by 318 runs at the close on Thursday, removing most of the positive momentum India had garnered from taking seven wickets for 142 in a much-improved bowling display. Mohammed Siraj returned a four-wicket haul as India bundled out Australia for 469 runs in the second session.
However, in reply, India got off to a poor start, losing both the openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill at the score of 30. Experienced campaigners Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli too failed to play promising knocks.
All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja sparked a bit of a counterattack to give the India fans something to cheer about, as he along with Ajinkya Rahane added 71 runs before Jaddu was caught at slip off Nathan Lyon for a 51-ball 48.
At stumps on the second day, Rahane (29 not out) and KS Bharat (5 not out) remained unbeaten as India managed to post 151/5, trailing Australia by 318 runs.
Here is how Twitter reacted:
Stumps on Day 2 of the #WTC23 Final!#TeamIndia 151/5 at the end of day's play and trail by 318 runs in the first innings.
Join us tomorrow for Day 3 action 👍🏻👍🏻
Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/0nYl21pwaw pic.twitter.com/dT7aOmDMWQ
— BCCI (@BCCI) June 8, 2023
Taking the bright partnership from Ajju and Jaddu as a boost for tomorrow! 🤝#WTCFinal #Whistle4Blue 🇮🇳
📸 : @BCCI pic.twitter.com/rMwITsrQyC— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) June 8, 2023
Jadeja getting out after performing well in a critical ICC match in England didn't end at the 2019 World Cup semifinal. Today again in the #WTCFinal , Jadeja is out after a well-made 48-run inning. 💔 pic.twitter.com/je7Qc6CPIi
— Ridhima Pathak (@PathakRidhima) June 8, 2023
Jadeja in Tests in the last 11 innings:
175*(228), 4(14), 22(45), 104(194), 23(58), 70(185), 26(74), 4(9), 7(36), 28(84), 48(51).
One of the most improved batters in world cricket. pic.twitter.com/E7YWGcqbfU
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) June 8, 2023
One wicket each to the Australian quicks #WTCFinal pic.twitter.com/NaL56qYVqJ
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) June 8, 2023
India 151/5 on Day 2 Stumps.
India under massive trouble with still trailing by 318 runs. They still need 119 runs to avoid the follow on. A big day tomorrow at the Oval. pic.twitter.com/kproQLPSJP
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) June 8, 2023
That Nathan Lyon delivery is the perfect answer to Indian leadership and management for not being able to either read the pitch or the conditions #Ashwin #WTC23Final #IndvAus
— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) June 8, 2023
#WTCFinal2023 #Rahane he's always been good in England. Carrying Ranji trophy and CSK form into WTC final is the sign of a Big match player. Must keep him around in tests for some more time😌 #WTCFinal2023 #WTC23Final
— Abhishek Bachhawat (@Abhishekk0914) June 8, 2023
#WTCFinal2023 #WTC23Final #INDvsAUS pic.twitter.com/Lf71wr9Xaf
— Crimson 🇵🇹☝️ (@CrimxFooty) June 8, 2023
💪🇮🇳 CHALLENGING DAY 2! Rahane and Bharat are in the middle, giving it their all.
🤞 We lost the wicket of Jadeja and it looks like we have a mountain to climb tomorrow.
📷 BCCI • #WTCFinal #WTC23 #INDvAUS #AUSvIND #TeamIndia #BharatArmy pic.twitter.com/DX6oPXvS5U
— The Bharat Army (@thebharatarmy) June 8, 2023
