WTC final 2023: India need 280 for win, Virat Kohli-Ajinkya Rahane at crease

London: India need 280 runs to win the WTC final as they ended the Day 4 at 164/3, with Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane at the crease at The Oval here on Saturday.

The duo are batting on 44 and 20, respectively, and have put on a crucial 71 runs partnership for 4th wicket, after India had lost prized wickets of Rohit Sharma and Cheteshwar Pujara, in quick succession.

For Australia to win the match, they need 7 wickets, and their bowlers would be aiming to come at the Indian batsmen with raw pace, especially in the first session of the final day.

Chasing a daunting 444 runs target, Indian openers Rohit and Shubman Gill attacked in the best blitzkrieg style, taking apart Australian bowlers.

But Cameron Green's controversial catch became the talking point on social media as still photographs showed the ball touching the ground. Much to the chagrin of Gill and Rohit, the TV umpire's decision was not appreciated by them. The Indian opener had made 18 off 19 balls, and was going great guns, with hits two the fence.

India kept the scoreboard ringing in the final session as Rohit and Pujara looked in good touch. The Indian captain (43) fell to Nathan Lyon in the Aussie's first over while attempting a needless sweep shot, and Pujara (27) succumbed to an uncharacteristic upper cut, caught behind Alex Carey off Pat Cummins.

Australia had their tails up, but Kohli and Rahane ensured that there were no further setbacks. Not only did they remain unbeaten but they hardly looked perturbed as the pitch surprisingly had no demons and the ball not moving throughout the day.

The Aussies batted conservatively in the morning session and scored just 78 runs for the loss of two wickets. They batted far more aggressively post-lunch with Carey and Mitchell Starc adding 93 runs for the 7th wicket which allowed Cummins to declare with one-and-a-half sessions left in the day.

After lunch, Australia came out with the intent to score quick runs, and they managed to do so thanks to Starc and Carey. The duo added 93 for the 7th wicket in 120 balls to give Australia the added cushion.

Earlier, Australia made 78 runs for 2 wickets in an absorbing first session as they reached 201/6 and extended their overall lead over India to 374 runs.

At lunch, Carey and Starc were batting on 41 and 11, respectively with Ravindra Jadeja being the pick of bowlers who claimed three wickets in this innings.

Resuming their innings 123/4, Marnus Labuschagne was first to go, caught Pujara in the slips off Umesh Yadav for his overnight 41 runs.

Green at the other end, buckled down even as Carey began emphatically, but Jadeja used the deteriorated wicket at one end to his advantage and put an end to Green's sluggish little innings of 25 off 95 balls.

Indian bowlers were on the money and restrained Australia batsmen, hardly giving the width to score.

Before the Aussie batsmen came out to bat in the post-lunch session, their think-tank could have been engaged in a serious discussion as to how much more runs is enough for them to ask India to chase.

Australia would love to go for a victory, but they are also aware of The Ashes ahead of this match, and will like their bowlers to go full steam, burning them out on a pitch that has slowed down a tad.

As many as 154 overs remain in this match, and the spectators would be in for a chimerical finish. (UNI)