India's chances of winning their first International Cricket Council (ICC) title received a heavy blow on the second day of the World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia at The Oval on Thursday (8) as half of their batting line-up was back into the pavilion while replying the opponents' formidable total of 469 in the first innings. India were 151 for 5 at stumps on Day 2, trailing Australia by another 318 runs.
India's top order failed to rise to the occasion after the bowlers brought the Asians back into the game on Thursday morning by picking Australia's remaining seven wickets for 142 runs. Both openers -- Rohit Sharma (15) and Shubman Gill (13) fell cheaply while Cheteshwar Pujara (14) and Virat Kohli (14) also failed to score big knocks. Ajinkya Rahane, who returned to India's Test side after a while, was the only top-order batter to show some resistance although lady luck sided him when a no-ball from Australia skipper Pat Cummins caught him plumb before the wicket.
Rahane (29 not out) added 71 runs with Ravindra Jadeja (48) before off-spinner Nathan Lyon broke the partnership. Wicket-keeper-batter Srikar Bharat (5 not out) saw off the remaining part of the day with Rahane.
All five bowlers used by Australia claimed a scalp each.
Earlier in the day, Australia resumed on their overnight score of 327 for 3 and Steve Smith (121), who was on 95 not out at stumps, completed his century -- his 31st in the long format. He added 285 runs for the fourth wicket with Travis Head, the other centurion who scored 163. Mohammed Siraj was the pick of the Indian bowlers with four wickets for 108 runs while his opening bowling partner Mohammed Shami and Shardul Thakur took two wickets each. Jadeja, the only spinner India are playing in the match, took one wicket.
Brief scores: Australia 469 (Travis Head 163, Steve Smith 121, Mohammed Siraj 4 for 108) vs India 151 for 5 (Ravindra Jadeja 48, Ajinkya Rahane 29 not out, Nathan Lyon 1 for 4) at stumps Day 2
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