Rohit Sharma-led India will have to bat out of their skin if they are to win the World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia at Kennington Oval, London. Australia are set to post a mammoth target for India after taking a 173-run lead in the first innings.
The highest successful target chased down at the venue is 263. England's Gilbert Jessop's 104-run knock and George Hirst's unbeaten 58 helped the hosts beat Australia by one wicket.
However, the record for highest fourth innings score belongs to India. In 1979, Sunil Gavaskar's 221 and half-centuries from Chetan Chauhan, Dilip Vengsarkar helped India post 429/8, just few runs away from the target. The Test against Mike Brearley-led England side ended in a draw.
In the first innings, India's top four failed to make a mark as they were reduced to 71/4. Ravindra Jadeja played a counter-attacking knock of 51-ball 48 but India needed a partnership. Srikar Bharat disappointed with a single-digit score but Australian slip cordon's sloppy catching helped India make a comeback. Ajinkya Rahane and Shardul Thakur infused life into the game with a 109-run partnership for the seventh wicket. Rahane's 89 and Thakur's 51 helped India avoid follow-on and post 296 on the board.
Rahane defied finger injury and refused to go for a scan as he was determined to stage India’s comeback. After the end of Day 3’s play, Rahane was optimistic that India can pull off a win if they approach the game session by session.
“Australia (are) slightly ahead in the game. For us it's important to be in the moment, play session by session. First one hour will be crucial tomorrow. We know funny things can happen,” the 35-year-old had told the broadcasters.
Rahane also gave an update about his finger injury that bugged him during the 89-run knock.
“(It is) painful but quite manageable. Don't think it'll affect batting. Happy with the way I batted. (I) had a good today,” said Rahane who also completed 5,000 Test runs.
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