In a pressure-filled second day of the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023 final on Thursday at The Oval, India's top order buckled in the face of their elite pace attack, giving Australia strong control of the contest. India found themselves in a vulnerable position at the stumps, reeling at 151 for 5 in response to Australia's first innings total of 469, trailing by 318 runs. This was despite a courageous 71-run partnership off 100 balls between Ravindra Jadeja (48 off 51 balls) and Ajinkya Rahane (29* off 71).
Meanwhile, a picture of former India captain Virat Kohli having food in the Indian dressing room soon after getting out cheaply went viral on social media. Fans were fumed after seeing Kohli being relaxed even in the must-win final match and trolled him brutally on social media. The right-hander scored 14 runs off 31 deliveries which included 2 fours.
Yes, it was a tough delivery: Sunil Gavaskar on Kohli’s dismissal
Fans expected Kohli, who is frequently regarded as one of the best batters among modern cricketers and is even rated among the all-time greats, to perform well in this match and rescue the team from a dangerous situation and put them back on top in this summit clash as this is a big match with a World title on the line. However, the right-handed batter only managed to accumulate 14 runs in the first innings and was dismissed by Mitchell Starc despite getting a stable start.
Meanwhile, former legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar talked about Kohli’s dismissal and said that it was a tough delivery from Starc and Kohli wasn’t expecting that much bounce as he was committed onto his front foot and couldn’t drop his wrist in time due to which the ball hit on his gloves and went straight to the slips.
“Yes, it was a tough delivery because he was so committed onto the front foot that he was not able to withdraw his bat at the last moment,” Gavaskar was quoted as saying by Zee News.
Here’s how fans reacted:
Waha khane ke liye gya tha kya
— Rohit Raj (@rraj5035) June 8, 2023
Khane ke liye itni jaldi toh main bhi nahi karta
— rudraaa (@Rudra18890187) June 8, 2023
Zara hasi to dekho salo ki. Ye inko paise milrahe hain, moj masti ke saath. Bhaad main jai icc trophy.
— #IT'S SACHIN (@ITSSACHIN4) June 8, 2023
Kohli eating Ram ka pasta in England
— Anam J (@Anamj23) June 8, 2023
— बावली तरेड़ (@Secularxyz1) June 8, 2023
Haan Bhai bohot batting kri hai Bhai ne khane do thak gya😭😭😭😭😭
— Shray Budania (@BudaniaShray) June 8, 2023
Ipl me bahut kamar matka rahe the desh ke liye khelne ki baat aayi to koi vadapav to koi chole bhature ke thele ghum ra
— SHREYASH SHARMA (@SHREYASH_hmm) June 8, 2023
inn bkl ko koi tension nahi par yaha fans ke gote muh b aaye hai. mf take these matches for granted
— Shin (@beers0da) June 8, 2023