In the World Test Championship final at The Oval, India faced a challenging day as Australia amassed a commanding total of 327/3 on Day 1. Despite early success in dismissing Usman Khawaja, David Warner, and Marnus Labuschagne, India’s bowlers were unable to contain Travis Head and Steve Smith, who formed an unbeaten partnership of 251 runs. The Indian think tank was left searching for answers after a strong start by their bowlers.
India’s Decision to Exclude Ashwin Questioned
The decision to exclude spinner R Ashwin from the Playing XI and opt for four pacers proved questionable as the match progressed. Initially, in overcast conditions, Mohammed Siraj and Mohammed Shami posed significant challenges to the Australian batsmen with their impeccable line, length, and seam movement. However, once the ball aged after 10 overs and the weather improved, batting became easier for the Australians. The absence of a spinner like Ashwin seemed to diminish India’s options and adaptability on a day where conditions changed.
Amidst a difficult day for India, wicketkeeper KS Bharat emerged as a positive highlight. His selection over Ishan Kishan in the Playing XI was justified as he showcased excellent wicketkeeping skills and contributed crucially to the team’s performance. Bharat displayed clean glovework and took two catches that caught the attention of cricket enthusiasts. Notably, his catch off Mohammed Shami’s delivery, where he leaped to collect a high-paced ball after Steve Smith missed his pull shot, demonstrated his agility and presence behind the stumps.
Bharat’s Courageous Act Impresses Hussain and Shastri
During the match, an incident arose when the ball appeared to touch the batsman’s gloves. Despite the on-field umpire’s decision of not out, several Indian fielders, including Virat Kohli, seemed convinced that an edge had occurred. In a remarkable turn of events, KS Bharat, playing in only his fifth Test match, boldly approached Kohli and convinced him against challenging the decision. Former England captain Nasser Hussain hailed Bharat’s bravery, stating that it is not easy to overrule Kohli. Likewise, ex-India coach Ravi Shastri commended Bharat’s courage, highlighting that very few players have the audacity to oppose Kohli’s decisions.
KS Bharat’s courageous act of overruling Virat Kohli’s decision in the WTC final has received widespread recognition and praise. Despite a challenging day for the Indian team, Bharat’s wicketkeeping abilities and his fearless stance against Kohli’s judgment demonstrated his potential and determination. His performance has sparked discussions around his future in the team and his contribution as a player with a strong character.
