WTC Final: Kohli stands in Australia’s way as India needs another 280 to win

A focused Virat Kohli stood between Australia and the World Test Championship mace as India required another 280 runs to make history in what promises to be an intriguing final day of the summit clash.

Kohli was batting 44 for 60 balls and had Ajinkya Rahane (batting 20) for company during a 71 stand for the fourth wicket as India ended the fourth day on 164 for 3 in pursuit of the world record 444.

Having set themselves a mammoth target, India lost Shubman Gill (18 for 19) to a controversial catch before skipper Rohit Sharma (43 for 60) and Cheteshwar Pujara (27 for 47) caused their own knockdown to make 93 for three in the 31. above.

Australia had declared their second innings at 270 for 8 midway through the afternoon session after an unbeaten 66 from Alex Carey.

Although the highest chase at The Oval is 263, Indian fans will not give up hope going into day five with Kohli and Rahane hardly facing batting issues and not looking as difficult on the penultimate day.

The court continues to have variable rebound but he played better than the first three days.

Kohli looked with sublime touch and used his strong wrists to play the move between the wicket half and the Australian pacemaker half. He also whipped Nathan Lyon (1/32) for a crisp drive before leaning into a straight drive on Mitchell Starc towards the end of the day’s game.

India’s openers Rohit and Gill got off to a good start and were not afraid to land their shots against the formidable duo of Pat Cummins and Scott Boland.

However, with a tee shot, Scott Boland made one bounce a little longer and it flew from the ball to Gill’s bat shoulder only to be licked by Cameron Green who launched himself into a gully.

It was the second time in the game that Green took a whoop, although replay suggested it was a close call with the ball very close to the ground.

Rohit got most of his runs playing the pull-shot. The Indian partisan crowd really got going when he served Starc’s second ball of his opening for a fine six over leg.

Lyon was brought on the attack in the 20th minute on breaking the tier between Rohit and Pujara and did exactly that.

Bowling around the wicket, Lyon bowled a full around Rohits’ pads and the India captain went for the sweeping shot only to miss. Rohit checked the leg before calling to no avail.

Next to go was Pujara, who played an uncharacteristic shot off a non-existent ramp in front of Cummins, only to get pinned behind. Pujara had also played some sure shots in his 47-ball effort.

Rahane, who did not take the field in Australia’s second innings to protect his bruised finger, seemed comfortable in the middle.

In the first session India picked up a couple of wickets but Australia pulled away to extend their overall lead to 374 runs after hitting 201 for 6 at lunch.

Australia had to fight hard to get 78 runs from 26 overs in the morning session. On the hottest morning of the game, the court continued to play plenty of tricks with the closers and spinners in business.

Australia, who resumed the day on 123 for four, lost to Marnus Labuschagne (41 for 126) in the third over of the day. The Australian batsman was unable to increase the score overnight as he past a beauty from Umesh Yadav (2/32 in 12 overs) who bowled around the stump and away from him.

Considering the ball was 44 overs, Umesh and Shami started proceedings for India looking for reverse swing in hot dry conditions.

The ball has been taking off or sliding from a particular point along the end of the pavilion and that kept hitters guessing on Saturday.

Mohammed Siraj, who has troubled the Australian batsmen the most in the game, got one to kick from the spot and hit Green’s right shoulder.

Ravindra Jadeja (3/45 in 18 overs) went on the attack after eight overs and his tactic was quite clear: spin the ball sharply from outside the leg stump.

The tactic worked as Green offered up a great stride to play a forward defensive shot but the ball bounced a bit more and hit the glove before rebounding to hit the stumps.