WTC Final 2023: Twitter hails Ajinkya Rahane despite India ending Day 2 on 151/5 in reply to Australia's 469

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WTC Final 2023: Australia continued to dominate the World Test Championship Final (WTC Final) against India at The Oval in London on Thursday. After ending Day 1 at 327/3, Australia posted a solid 469-run target in the first innings despite the Indian bowlers coming up with a spirited performance on Day 2.

Mohammed Siraj picked a four-wicket haul, While Mohammed Shami (2/122) and Shardul Thakur (2/83) picked the crucial wickets of Cameron Green and Steve Smith respectively. Australia lost their last seven wickets for 108 runs only.

However, the momentum soon shifted back in favour of Australia as the Indian top-order collapsed once again in the knockout match of an ICC tournament. Rohit Sharma (14), Shubman gill (13), Virat kohli (14) and Cheteshwar Pujara (14) all departed cheaply as India were left reeling at 71/4.

A 71-run partnership brewed between Ravindra Jadeja (48 off 51) and Ajinkya Rahane but Nathan Lyon got rid of the latter in the fourth last over of the day. But Ajinkya Rahane continued to hold one end and took India past 150 with an unbeaten on 29 off 71 at the end of day's play.

As India end Day 2 on 151/5 and trail by 318 runs, a lot will depend on the partnership between Rahane and KS Bharat (5* off 14) on Day 3. But fans have already started to heap praise on Rahane for his gritty stay at the crease amid an Indian collapse.