Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli all have departed cheaply as India are tottering at 72/4, in reply to Australia’s mammoth 469 in the first innings.
India made a decent start to their first innings, but failed to capitalize on their start. Both captain Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill played some decent shots as India were looking good in the chase. But the rhythm was disrupted in the 6th over as Pat Cummins picked up India captain Rohit Sharma.
Sharma departed for 15 off just 26 balls, another miserable outing of late for him. And Shubman Gill followed him in the very next over when Scott Boland castled his stumps. A brainfade from the talented batter led him leaving a straight ball which ended up hitting the stumps.
Shubman Gill Wicket Video – Watch
Poor prince Shubman Gill even don’t know how to leave the ball and you guys were comparing him with Babar Azam.#INDvsAUS || #WTC2023 pic.twitter.com/IGls6aJTTN
— Ehtisham Siddique (@iMShami_) June 8, 2023
And just after Tea, Cheteshwar Pujara has departed as well. A lot was expected of Pujara after his county stint in the summer, where he batted exquisitely, but sadly it didn’t transform into India runs. After a couple of decent boundaries, Pujara also left alone a Cameron Green ball which nipped back and hit the stumps.
Cheteshwar Pujara Wicket – Watch
Pujara misjudging just like shubhman. #WTC23Final pic.twitter.com/yRjFUMUH9t
— John Haseena Shah (@johnHaseena) June 8, 2023
And to make matters worse, Virat Kohli has also gone back to take an early shower. The laurel which was resting on the King has taken a massive hit as Kohli was picked up by Mitchell Starc with a terrific delivery. With Kohli’s departure for 14, all of India’s top four have departed from an individual score of 13 to 15 in the first innings.
India are currently 72/4 after 19 overs as Ravindra Jadeja and a rejuvenated Ajinkya Rahane are at the crease. They trail by a mammoth 697 runs but will take heart from Australia’s conditions. The Aussies were 76/3 in their inning yesterday and Steve Smith and Travis Head then stitched a stellar 285-run partnership to put them in a fabulous position.
But this has become a mountain to climb for the Indians, who will have to do something extra ordinary in the final session of the 2nd day at the Oval.