In the highly anticipated ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final between India and Australia at The Oval, the opening day saw an intense battle between bat and ball. Opting to field first after winning the toss, Indian skipper Rohit Sharma entrusted his fast bowlers to make early inroads into the Australian batting lineup.
Mohammad Siraj and Mohammad Shami displayed exceptional skill and troubled the Australian openers right from the start. Their relentless pressure paid off when Usman Khawaja fell for a duck, caught behind by wicketkeeper KS Bharat off Siraj’s bowling.
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However, Marnus Labuschagne and David Warner fought hard to stabilize the Australian innings. Labuschagne adopted an unusual stance, positioning himself outside the batting crease to counter the threat of LBW dismissals. Despite surviving a couple of close calls, he continued to battle and formed a crucial partnership with Warner.
Warner, known for his aggressive stroke play, capitalized on the overcast conditions and played some delightful shots, accumulating 43 runs with eight boundaries. However, his innings came to an end in an unexpected manner. Shardul Thakur, bowling from around the wicket, delivered a short-pitched delivery that Warner attempted to pull but only managed to glove it towards the leg side.
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In a remarkable display of athleticism, KS Bharat dived to his right and took a sensational catch just inches off the ground, securing Warner’s dismissal. At lunch, Australia reached a score of 73/2, with Labuschagne unbeaten on 26 and Steve Smith on 2. Siraj and Shardul were the successful wicket-takers for India, setting the stage for an enthralling battle as the match progressed.
As the WTC final continues, both teams will be eager to seize the advantage and gain a strong foothold in this crucial encounter. The intense competition between bat and ball promises an exhilarating contest for cricket fans worldwide.
Here is the video of the catch from KS Bharat:
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