London, June 11, 2023 – In a thrilling finale at the Oval in London, Australia clinched the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) title by defeating India by a commanding margin of 209 runs. With this victory, Australia has now become the first team in cricket history to secure all the ICC world titles, including the ODI World Cup, T20 World Cup, Champions Trophy, and the prestigious World Test Championship.
Winning the toss and opting to bowl first in challenging overcast conditions, India faced a formidable challenge as Australia posted a mammoth total of 469 runs in their first innings. Travis Head’s magnificent knock of 163 and Steve Smith’s resilient 121 set the stage for Australia’s dominance. Although Mohammed Siraj claimed a four-wicket haul for India, Australia’s imposing total ultimately proved to be the deciding factor.
In response, India fought valiantly, led by Ajinkya Rahane’s gutsy 89 and Shardul Thakur’s determined 51, ensuring they avoided the follow-on and reached a respectable total of 296. Australian skipper Pat Cummins emerged as the standout bowler, finishing with figures of 3 for 83 in India’s first innings.
Australia, holding a significant lead, declared their second innings at 270/8, with Alex Carey contributing an unbeaten 66 to their total. Setting a target of 444 for victory, India began Day 4 optimistically, ending the day at 164/3 with 280 runs needed on the final day. Both Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane appeared to be in good form, raising hopes of an exhilarating finish.
However, the game took a dramatic turn on Day 5 when Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja fell in quick succession. From that point on, the Indian batsmen struggled to recover, making questionable shot selections despite the pitch offering no treacherous conditions. India lost all their remaining seven wickets in the first session itself, handing Australia a resounding victory. Nathan Lyon starred with the ball for the Aussies, claiming 4 for 41 in the second innings and effectively dismantling the Indian tail.
This triumph marks a historic moment for Australian cricket as they become the first team to secure all the major ICC titles. Their exceptional record includes winning the ODI World Cup, T20 World Cup, Champions Trophy, and now the World Test Championship. It is a testament to Australia’s cricketing prowess and their ability to excel in all formats of the game.
Meanwhile, India’s quest for an ICC title continues, as their drought stretches back to 2013. Despite their efforts in the WTC final, they were unable to overcome Australia’s dominance and fell short in their pursuit of the championship.
As the cricketing world applauds Australia’s remarkable achievement, the Kangaroos bask in the glory of their success. With a balanced and talented squad, they have set a new benchmark for excellence in international cricket, and their legacy as a dominant force in the game is firmly cemented.
