Australia beat India by 9 wickets, qualify for WTC final

Thursday 09th March 2023 02:01 EST
 

Australia defeated India by 9 wickets on the third test at Holkar Stadium in Indore with only 76 required. With this win on Day 3, Australia guaranteed their place in the World Test Championship championship game. With one Test remaining in Ahmedabad, India leads the four-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy series 2-1. A win would advance India to the WTC championship match.
Ravichandran Ashwin bowled the first over of the day and he instantly made an impression by having Usman Khawaja caught behind by Srikar Bharat on the second ball of the day. Khawaja took the review but the replays showed an edge much to the delight of the Indians.
Travis Head (49*) and Marnus Labuschagne (28*) ensured there were no more hiccups and guided Australia to victory. Head attacked Jadeja in the next over, hitting one over the bowler's head. Labuschagne then decided to go for the sweep in the same over, bringing the score to 35 for one after 12 overs.
After that, there was no looking back for the Australian duo who had gained enough confidence to go for their shots. Labuschagne hit the winning runs, a four over mid-wicket, to complete a memorable victory.
Captain Rohit Sharma, who had said a day before this Test, "what has happened to them (Australia) in this series could happen to us, because of the (turning) pitches", proved to be prophetic.
For visiting teams, victories in India are uncommon, and Australia was no exception, recording their first triumph on Indian soil in six years.


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