On This Day: Australia Thrash India by 209 Runs to Win ICC World Test Championship Final

Dominating all five days of the match, Australia never looked under pressure, showcasing their strength in every department. With this victory, they claimed the coveted WTC Mace, completing their international trophy cabinet. From the very start, Australia held the upper hand, leaving India struggling to catch up. The result was a tough pill to swallow for Indian fans, marking a disappointing end to their WTC campaign.

India vs Australia: 7-11 June 2023 WTC Finals

After being the Finalists of the 2021-2023 ICC World Test Championship, India faced Australia at The Oval, London, from June 7 to 11, 2023, in a clash that ended in heartbreak for India. Australia’s commanding 209-run victory showcased their dominance across all five days, securing the WTC Mace and completing their ICC trophy cabinet.

Australia’s 1st Innings

Australia’s first innings set the tone for their dominance, amassing 469 in 121.3 overs. Opting to bat after India won the toss, they faced early pressure when Usman Khawaja fell for a duck to Mohammed Siraj in the fourth over. David Warner’s gritty 43 off 60 steadied the ship, but his departure at 71/2, followed by Marnus Labuschagne’s 26 off 62, left Australia at 76/3. Enter Travis Head, whose explosive 163 off 174 balls, laced with 25 fours and a six, turned the game.

His 285-run stand with Steve Smith, who scored a composed 121 off 268 balls, was the cornerstone of the innings. Smith’s 19th Test century was a masterclass in patience, while Head’s aggressive strokeplay punished India’s bowlers. Cameron Green’s brief 6 off 7 couldn’t add much, but Alex Carey’s 48 off 69 kept the momentum. Mohammed Siraj led India’s attack with 4/108, dismissing Head, Carey, Nathan Lyon (9 off 25), and Pat Cummins (9 off 34). Shardul Thakur grabbed 2/83, including Warner and Smith, while Mohammed Shami’s 2/122 accounted for Labuschagne and Green.

Ravindra Jadeja’s 1/56 removed Carey, and a run-out by Axar Patel ended Mitchell Starc’s 5 off 20. Despite 38 extras, India’s bowlers toiled on a flat pitch, with Umesh Yadav’s 0/77 reflecting their struggle. By the close of Day 1, Australia were 327/3, with Head (146) and Smith (95) in control. The innings ended on Day 2, giving Australia a strong foundation, as India’s decision to bowl first looked increasingly misguided against a batting line-up that capitalized on every loose delivery.

India’s 1st Innings

India’s response was shaky, folding for 296 in 69.4 overs. Starting on Day 2, they lost Rohit Sharma (15 off 26) and Shubman Gill (13 off 15) early to Pat Cummins and Scott Boland, respectively, slumping to 30/2. Cheteshwar Pujara’s 14 off 25 ended with Cameron Green’s breakthrough, and Virat Kohli’s 14 off 31 was cut short by Mitchell Starc, leaving India at 71/4. Ajinkya Rahane, fighting for a comeback, anchored the innings with a resilient 89 off 129 balls, hitting 11 fours and a six.

His 71-run stand with Ravindra Jadeja (48 off 51) offered hope, but Jadeja fell to Nathan Lyon. Srikar Bharat’s 5 off 15 disappointed, and India were 152/6 at the end of Day 2. Rahane found an ally in Shardul Thakur, who battled for 51 off 109 balls, their 109-run partnership lifting India past 250. However, Cummins dismissed Rahane and Umesh Yadav (5 off 11), while Green removed Thakur. Starc wrapped up the tail, dismissing Mohammed Shami (13 off 11) for his second wicket (2/71).

Boland’s 2/59 and Cummins’ 3/83 were pivotal, with Green (2/44) and Lyon (1/19) chipping in. India’s 29 extras, including 10 leg-byes, highlighted Australia’s disciplined bowling. The innings ended 173 runs behind Australia’s total, a deficit that loomed large on a pitch still favoring batsmen. Rahane’s knock was a bright spot, but early collapses and lack of big partnerships hurt India.

Australia’s 2nd Innings

Australia’s second innings consolidated their grip, declaring at 270/8 in 84.3 overs. Starting on Day 3, they lost David Warner (1 off 8) early to Mohammed Siraj. Usman Khawaja’s 13 off 39 followed, caught off Umesh Yadav, leaving Australia at 24/2. Marnus Labuschagne (41 off 126) and Steve Smith (34 off 47) steadied with a 62-run stand, but Ravindra Jadeja struck, dismissing Smith and later Travis Head (18 off 27) with a sharp return catch. Labuschagne fell to Yadav, and Cameron Green’s 25 off 95 was ended by Jadeja’s 3/58, the pick of India’s bowlers.

Alex Carey’s unbeaten 66 off 105, with 8 fours, anchored the lower order, while Mitchell Starc’s 41 off 57 added quick runs in an 93-run partnership. Pat Cummins’ 5 off 5 was the last wicket before the declaration, with Mohammed Shami claiming 2/39, including Starc and Cummins. Siraj (1/80) and Yadav (2/54) toiled, but 26 extras, including 9 byes, showed India’s fielding lapses. Australia’s lead swelled to 443, setting India an improbable 444 to chase.

By the end of Day 3, Australia were 123/4, with Labuschagne (41) and Green (7) solid. Day 4 saw Carey and Starc accelerate, allowing Cummins to declare with a massive advantage. India’s bowlers, especially Jadeja, kept probing, but Australia’s measured approach ensured they never lost control. The declaration came late on Day 4, leaving India 40 overs to survive. Carey’s composure and Starc’s aggression underscored Australia’s depth, while India’s inability to break partnerships quickly allowed Australia to dictate terms.

India’s 2nd Innings

India’s chase of 444 was a tall order, and they crumbled to 234 in 63.3 overs on Day 5. Starting Day 4 at 164/3, with Virat Kohli (44) and Ajinkya Rahane (20), hopes rested on them. However, Scott Boland’s 3/46 turned the game, dismissing Shubman Gill (18 off 19) early on Day 4 and later Kohli (49 off 78) and Ravindra Jadeja (0 off 2) in quick succession. Rohit Sharma’s 43 off 60, with 7 fours and a six, ended via Nathan Lyon’s 4/41, who also removed Cheteshwar Pujara (27 off 47).

Rahane’s 46 off 108 showed fight, but Mitchell Starc’s 2/77 got him and Umesh Yadav (1 off 12). Srikar Bharat’s 23 off 41 was gritty, but Lyon dismissed him and Shardul Thakur (0 off 5). Mohammed Shami’s 13 not out off 8 was a late flourish, but Lyon trapped Mohammed Siraj (1 off 6) to end the innings. Pat Cummins’ 1/55 and 13 extras couldn’t save India. The collapse from 179/3 to 234, with Boland’s double strike on Day 5, was decisive.

Kohli’s dismissal, caught by Steve Smith, and Jadeja’s duck in the same over crushed India’s hopes. Lyon’s spin and Boland’s pace were relentless, while Starc’s breakthroughs ensured no late resistance. India’s batting frailties, exposed against Australia’s disciplined attack, sealed their fate. Australia’s 209-run win, completed on June 11, marked their first WTC title, with Head’s 163 in the first innings proving pivotal.

Australia’s 5 Pillars: David Warner, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood

With their 209-run win over the Indian team in the WTC Finals, the 5 main players of Australia managed to complete their domination in all three formats of the game. David Warner, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and Josh Hazlewood managed to be part of the Australian team that won the 2015 ODI World Cup in Australia, then managed to win the 2021 T20 World Cup which was held in UAE, while the 5 players also managed to win the 2023 World Test Championship Finals against India in London. It showed the domination of all 5 players since their debut. These 5 players have managed to be the backbone of the team and have been on countless tours like India, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, and much more, and have tasted success everywhere.