The highly anticipated World Test Championship (WTC) final of 2023 concluded with Pat Cummins‘ Australia making history by defeating India by a massive 209-run margin. The five-day match witnessed numerous headline-worthy moments that captured the attention of cricket enthusiasts worldwide.
Cummins defends Green
One incident that sparked controversy and heated debates was the dismissal of star Indian batsman Shubman Gill during the second innings on Day 4. Gill, batting on 18 runs, appeared to have nicked a delivery from Scott Boland straight into Cameron Green’s hands. Despite doubts raised over the catch, the third umpire ruled Gill out. Many spectators believed that the ball had touched the ground before reaching Green, fueling the controversy surrounding the decision.
In an effort to address the situation, Australian skipper Pat Cummins came forward to defend Green’s catch and insisted that it was indeed fair. Cummins expressed his trust in the umpire’s judgement, stating, “They are passionate fans, but I thought it was a fair catch, It was an absolute screamer, and obviously we’re just players, we’re out on the field, so we leave it in the umpire’s hands, and personally, probably the best umpire in the world, he knows the rule books, he’s seen every angle. I’d probably back his decision more so than emotional, passionate fans that are looking on a big screen from 100 metres away.”
Australian batters dominate India
However, it was the subpar batting performance of the Indian team that ultimately led to their downfall in the WTC final. Chasing a daunting target of 444 runs set by Australia, India struggled against the relentless bowling attack. Despite a resilient effort from Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane, who aimed to steer the team towards victory, early dismissals resulted in a batting collapse. The Indian team was eventually bowled out for 234 runs, sealing a comprehensive 204-run victory for Australia.
The defeat highlighted the dominance of the Australian bowlers, who posed significant challenges for the Indian batsmen throughout the match. With the remarkable win, Australia secured their place in the annals of cricket history as the champions of the World Test Championship.
