WTC Final 2023: Fans Slam Rohit Sharma as Australia Dominate Day 1, Recall Virat Kohli's Captaincy

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WTC Final 2023: India were completely outplayed by India on Day 1 of the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023 final against Australia at The Oval in London on Wednesday. India won the toss and reduced Australia to 76/3 at one stage before Travis Head and Steve Smith dominated the proceedings.

The duo stitched an unbeaten 251-run stand off 370 deliveries as Australia finished the opening day at 327/3 in 85 overs. While Travis Head slammed a 106-ball hundred and remained unbeaten at 146 off 156 at the end of the day, Steve Smith was just five runs short of his 31st Test ton.

Amid overcast conditions, India opted to bowl first and entered the match with four pacers and left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja. Ravichandran Ashwin, the number one ranked Test bowler in the world was left out of the eleven. However, the decision backfired.

Umesh Yadav bowled 14 overs for 54 runs without taking any wicket, while Shardul Thakur picked one wicket but leaked 75 runs in 18 overs. Jadeja also went wicketless after bowling four overs for 48 runs.

Rohit and the Indian team management was questioned for not opting to go with Ashwin or left-arm pacer Jaydev Unadkat first. Later the 36-year-old was criticised for his non-attacking captaincy which helped Australia make rapid strides towards the title win.

Here's how fans have reacted after the end of Day 1 play of the WTC final 2023.