Ruthless Australia brush aside India in WTC Final

It turned out to be completely one-sided on the last day of the World Test Championship final as a clinical Australian side made the most of India's largely self-produced batting capitulation to become the second team after New Zealand to lift the WTC mace. India started the day at 164/3 chasing 444, with their hopes resting on Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane to extend their partnership and produce something magical. But it turned out to be yet another disappointment in a WTC final for India as Australia bowled them out for 234 to secure a comprehensive 209-run victory.

Kohli and Rahane made a steady start on the fifth morning and looked mostly untroubled before an eventful over from Boland powered Australia's march towards the WTC title. Kohli played and missed one delivery outside off and Australia ended up losing a review. But Boland, with his variations of grip, got the better of Kohli as the former India captain went after a delivery outside off but edged it to second slip where Steve Smith held on to a fine catch. The bowler then came round the wicket to Ravindra Jadeja and got him to nick to the 'keeper as India slipped to 179/5.

KS Bharat too would have been a goner in the Boland over, poking at one outside off, but was saved as the ball went over the slip cordon for a four. It was a jittery start for Bharat who was also struck on his helmet by a Cummins delivery and was beaten outside off multiple times. But he stuck around and assisted Rahane in building a partnership as India began a renewed attempt in challenging the hefty target.

Rahane, meanwhile, appeared to be continuing from where he left off in the first innings as he played a couple of stylish drives past Mitchell Starc and a backfoot punch off Nathan Lyon. However, like some of the other batters before him, Rahane too threw his wicket away looking to go after a widish delivery from Starc. Nathan Lyon ran through the lower order quickly to bag a four-wicket haul to bring a quick end to India's agony.

The foundation for the victory was set up by Travis Head's counter-attacking innings (163) and Steve Smith's dogged presence (121) as they helped their side recover from 76/3 after being asked to bat, to post 469. India's top order was a let down in their first innings but Rahane's 89 and Shardul Thakur's 51 helped them to 296.

Australia, though, were well ahead with a 173-run lead, and their 270/8 declared in the second essay meant India needed to pull off a record chase to lift the title, which they were unable to do as the WTC title evaded them for the second time. Apart from Smith and Head, Boland played a key role in Australia's victory with important strikes, while the rest of the bowlers also chipped in. Mohammed Siraj was the pick of India's bowlers but their attack largely lacked sting, another key reason for India finishing second.

Brief scores: Australia 469 (Travis Head 163, Steve Smith 121; Mohammed Siraj 4-108) & 270/8 decl. (Alex Carey 66, Mitchell Starc 41; Ravindra Jadeja 3-58) beat India 296 (Ajinkya Rahane 89, Shardul Thakur 51; Pat Cummins 3-83) & 234 (Virat Kohli 49, Ajinkya Rahane 46; Nathan Lyon 4-41) by 209 runs.