I don't think Australia will opt for the follow-on if they have the opportunity to do so: Harbhajan

Australia have tightened their screws on India in the ongoing ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final at The Oval. On day 2, for the Kangaroos, Travis Head (163) and Steve Smith (121) both scored hundreds as Australia amassed 469 runs in the first innings at The Oval despite Mohammed Siraj's (4/108) best bowling efforts for India. Thereafter, the Indian openers looked good initially but the top order collapsed like a deck of cards leaving them stuttering at 151/5.

Notably, they are still trailing by 318 runs from Australia's first innings total in the WTC Final. Moreover, India still need 118 runs to avoid a follow-on with half the side back in the pavilion. Meanwhile, the star Indian batter Virat Kohli tried to steady the ship but was undone by a sudden bounce generated by Mitchell Starc off the pitch while Shubman Gill and Cheteshwar Pujara drastically misjudged the line over the off stump to get cleaned up. If that wasn't enough, the pitch at The Oval has started tricking the Indian batters with some uneven bounce and considerable movement following pitches.

In the same vein, former off-spin legend, Harbhajan Singh, came forward to put forth his views regarding the ongoing Test match between the two cricket giants. Singh believes that the title match has slipped off India's grip considering that the Pat Cummins-led squad are faring better in the title encounter. Hence, if Australia proceed to amass a first-innings lead of over 200 runs, they will forego the chance to impose the follow-on in the World Test Championship (WTC).

"I don't feel like talking about the WTC Final at all because this contest has largely drifted away from India's grasp. There was a lot of difference in bowling by the Indians on Day 1 and Day 2. India were able to get wickets quickly and bowl out Australia quickly by pitching the ball up," Singh said on his YouTube channel. 

Tough To Bat On This Wicket In Fourth Innings: Harbhajan 

Furthermore, Harbhajan Singh also mentioned that there is still enough time left in this Test match still and with the pitch playing tricks, Australia will prefer to put India to bat in the fourth innings. Hence, the Aussies will not enforce the follow-on and will look to score quickly and set the target for India.

"I don't think Australia will opt for the follow-on if they have the opportunity to do so. They will come in and score runs again and leave India to bat last on this pitch. It will be tough to bat on this wicket in the fourth innings."

The "Turbanator' also lauded Steve Smith for coming good as he is a big match player for Australia from a long time now.  He also discussed about Travis Head's dismissal and the bowling spell of Mohammed Siraj. As per him the bouncer ploy worked for Team India but Siraj's four-wicket haul came rather late. He also pointed that because Indian bowlers pitched the ball further up, they got quick wickets to wrap up Australia's innings.

"The plan to bowl short to Travis Head worked as well. But, Australia scored way too many runs in the first innings. Steve Smith is a big-match player, and is the best players who stands out when the stakes are high. Siraj took four wickets, but it came late in a way," Singh concluded.

Currently, KS Bharat (5*) and Ajinkya Rahane (29*) are at the crease. For India to remain in this Test match, the pair will need to bat for as long in a bid to inch as close to Australia's first innings' total on day 3.