Mohammed Siraj picked a four-wicket haul, While Mohammed Shami (2/122) and Shardul Thakur (2/83) picked the crucial wickets of Cameron Green and Steve Smith respectively. Australia lost their last seven wickets for 108 runs only.
However, the momentum soon shifted back in favour of Australia as the Indian top-order collapsed once again in the knockout match of an ICC tournament. Rohit Sharma (14), Shubman gill (13), Virat kohli (14) and Cheteshwar Pujara (14) all departed cheaply as India were left reeling at 71/4.
A 71-run partnership brewed between Ravindra Jadeja (48 off 51) and Ajinkya Rahane but Nathan Lyon got rid of the latter in the fourth last over of the day. But Ajinkya Rahane continued to hold one end and took India past 150 with an unbeaten on 29 off 71 at the end of day’s play.
Ajinkya Rahane doing what Steve Smith did for Australia. But we don’t have Rishabh Pant to do Travis Head. #WTCFinal2023 #AUSvsIND
— Kanish Rana (@kanishrana3) June 8, 2023
Every ICT Fans to Ajinkya Rahane:#WTCFinal2023 #INDvAUS #Rahane pic.twitter.com/297ujDRb6d
— Brij Oza (@brijhoonmain) June 8, 2023
Haters Were Laughing And Blaming MS Dhoni Because Of Ajinkya Rahane Inclusion In WTC Final. But Ajinkya Rahane Prove He Is CSK Blood And Hold One Side And Make 29(71)* On Day 2. pic.twitter.com/0HK8hPPwns
— Aufridi Chumtya (@ShuhidAufridi) June 8, 2023
Ajinkya Rahane century
Bharat and Lord Shardul Thakur fiftyBig things happening tomorrow me thinks ✍️
— R A T N I S H (@LoyalSachinFan) June 8, 2023
Fought and won us a series in Australia when Kohli abandoned the team
Got dropped just because of a few failures
Again, fighting a lone battle in the final.
Ajinkya Rahane, the most underrated gem of Indian Cricket. #WTCFinal2023 pic.twitter.com/h50abKmUrd
— Ankit Raj Satapathy 🇮🇳 (@AnkitRajSatapa1) June 8, 2023
Ajinkya rahane.. will be the Man of the match stump day 2.. thanks
— Maharam Rawat (@mahiya937) June 8, 2023
remove rohit from test cricket make rahane as captain. #ajinkyarahane top scorer for india both #WTC21Final #WTC23Final and BCCI removed him from team more than year what an absolutely blunder
— Srinivas Korni (@SrinivasKorne) June 8, 2023
Respect Increase For Ajinkya Rahane. He is Batting Brilliantly Despite OF Injured Finger. Most important thing he didnt give up. pic.twitter.com/36ijY8eaMc
— Ayush Ranjan (@AyushRaGenius) June 8, 2023
As India end Day 2 on 151/5 and trail by 318 runs, a lot will depend on the partnership between Rahane and KS Bharat (5* off 14) on Day 3. But fans have already started to heap praise on Rahane for his gritty stay at the crease amid an Indian collapse.
