ICC WTC final 2023: India vs Australia, Day 5 - Talking Points and Who Said What?

Pat Cummins-led Australia registered a comprehensive 209-run win over India on Day 5 of the 2023 ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final at The Oval in London on Sunday, June 11. India skipper Rohit Sharma won the toss and invited the Aussies to bat first on the first day (June 7). 

Travis Head (163 off 174) and Steve Smith (121 off 268) hit centuries as Australia scored a mammoth 469 in the first innings, with Mohammed Siraj claiming a four-wicket haul. India managed to score only 296 in their first innings, thanks to Ajinkya Rahane's (89 off 129). Meanwhile, Australia declared their innings at 270/8 on Saturday, June 10; the Pat Cummins-led side set India a target of 444 for victory. However, India were bundled out for 234 on the final day.

Here are the Talking Points from Australia vs India clash-

Travis Head's powerful knock in the opening innings

Travis Head was crucial for the Pat Cummins-led side in the WTC final, scoring a stupendous ton in the first innings. The 29-year-old played a remarkable innings in the marquee event, scoring the first-ever hundred of the WTC final, scoring 163 in just 174 deliveries and producing a 408-ball 285 runs partnership with Steve Smith.

Steve Smith's fiery knock 

Steve Smith played a significant role in Australia's win over the Rohit Sharma-led side. In the opening innings, he scored 121 off 268 deliveries, including 19 boundaries. The 34-year-old has surpassed Matthew Hayden in the list of most centuries for Australia and is only behind Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting.

Mohammed Siraj's brilliant bowling spell

Mohammed Siraj was instrumental for team India in the WTC final. He claimed a four-wicket haul in Australia's first innings. During the innings, the Indian seamer also achieved the landmark of 50 wickets in the longest format of the game. He also picked a wicket in Australia's second innings. 

Losing skipper Rohit Sharma said: 

I thought we started well with winning the toss, putting them to bat in those conditions. We bowled well in the first session and then we let ourselves down with how we bowled. Got to give credit to the Australian batters. Head came in and played really well along with Steven Smith. That just took us off guard a little bit. We knew it was always hard to comeback, but we put up a good show. We fought till the end. Rohit Sharma: I thought we started well with winning the toss, putting them to bat in those conditions. We bowled well in the first session and then we let ourselves down with how we bowled. Got to give credit to the Australian batters. Head came in and played really well along with Steven Smith. That just took us off guard a little bit. We knew it was always hard to comeback, but we put up a good show. We've worked hard for all those four years. Playing two finals is honestly a good achievement for us. But we'd like to go a mile ahead as well. You can't take the credit away from what we've done in those last two years to come here. Great effort from the entire unit. Unfortunate that we couldn't go on and win the final but we'll keep our heads high and fight. (Crowd support) It's been brilliant. They've gotten behind the time. I'd like to thank each one of them. They were cheering for every run and every wicket.

Firstly, the match officials receive their medals. Travis Head receives his memento. And now time for the Indians to get their runners-up medals.

Winning skipper Pat Cummins said:

We made the most of it (losing the toss). We were certainly going to bowl. The way Travis and Smithy put on that partnership, gave us the comfort after a nervy morning.

Player of the Match Travis Head said:

Lot of hard work over the two years. It's been nice. That's been the approach for two years (positive approach with the bat). Said through the week that I want to be able to be proactive. I was tested throughout the innings. It was nice to be out there for a period of time with Smudge. Amazing week. Amazing Test from him and what we've come to expect (from him) here in England. Hope it's a big couple of months from him. And I've always said that it feels like all the plans go to him, all the attention he draws, and I can just go about my work. Nice to spend some time out with him. I've always had the confidence. It's about going out there and expressing that. It took me some time and everyone goes through that. I've always been open to change, open to learning. I've bedded down somewhat of a blueprint. It's not always going to work. It's nice to work that out in such a big game and hopefully continues in the next couple of months. Lot of what-ifs going to bed last night. We've come across such moments through the two years where we've had to grind it out. Were able to do that again today.