WTC final 2023: India off to disastrous start after bowling Australia out for 469

India fought back with the ball on the second day of the World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia at The Oval on Thursday (8) by bowling out the opposition for 469 in their first innings. Speedster Mohammed Siraj, who drew first blood on the first day by picking the wicket of opener Usman Khawaja for no score, was the most successful of the India bowlers with four scalps for 108 runs in 28.3 overs. However, their batters let them down early on as the Asians lost both their openers cheaply.

His opening partner Mohammed Shami took two wickets for 122 runs while Shardul Thakur took two for 83. Ravindra Jadeja, the only spinner in the side, took the remaining wicket for 56 runs. Umesh Yadav, the other pacer, went wicketless.

Australia, who made a brilliant comeback on the first day after losing three wickets for 76, resumed from their overnight score of 327 for 3 with Travis Head (163) and Steve Smith (121) extending their partnership. However, Siraj broke the partnership in the seventh over of the day when he took Head and Australia had a mini collapse thereafter, losing their last six wickets for 108 runs. Wicket-keeper-batter Alex Carrey scored 48.

Smith, who was batting on 95 at stumps on Day 1, completed his 31st Test hundred on the second day, but was castled by Thakur.

Replying to the Australian total, India lost both their openers Rohit Sharma (15) and Shubman Gill (13), who was in a tremendous form in the recently concluded Indian Premier League, for just 30 runs with Pat Cummins and Scott Boland sharing the two scalps.

Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli were holding India's fort at the time of writing this report.