In the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final between India and Australia, it was India who had the upper hand on day two at the Oval in London. Australia started the day at 327/3 with Travis Head and Steve Smith at the crease. Head continued his impressive form and scored a magnificent 163 runs before being caught by KS Bharat off a short ball from Mohammed Siraj.
This ended the fourth-wicket partnership at a notable 285 runs. Meanwhile, Steve Smith displayed his class and completed his 31st Test century, with 9 of them against India. However, Shardul Thakur managed to dismiss Smith on 121 runs as the former Australia captain chopped a wide delivery onto his stumps.
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Cameron Green seemed unsettled and fell prey to a wide delivery from Mohammad Shami, edging the ball to Shubman Gill at second slip after scoring only 6 runs. Alex Carey fought hard to add valuable runs as Australia crossed the 400-run mark, accompanied by Mitchell Starc, who aimed to survive against the Indian bowlers. However, Starc’s attempt to take a quick single proved costly.
Hitting the ball straight to mid-off, Starc hurried for the run, but substitute fielder Akshar Patel displayed exceptional reflexes. Patel swiftly grabbed the ball, threw it in midair, and scored a direct hit, leaving Starc struggling to make it back to the crease.
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Replays confirmed the accuracy of Akshar Patel’s throw, and Starc had no choice but to walk back to the pavilion, thanks to the brilliant fielding effort by the Indian all-rounder. India’s dominant performance on day two puts them in a commanding position in the WTC final.
Here is the video of the dismissal of Mitchell Starc after the direct hit from Axar Patel:
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