India vs Australia, 3rd Test: Australia Defeat India By 9 Wickets, Qualify For WTC Final

Australia turned the tables on India with a nine-wicket win in the third Test on a track with wicked turn and variable bounce, ensuring their spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final in Indore on Friday. Travis Head (49 not out) and Marnus Labuschagne (28 not out) overcame some nerves to lead Australia home in 18.5 overs as the match was completed in just over two days. Wins in India are unusual for visiting teams, and Australia’s first triumph on Indian soil in six years was no exception.

It was only India’s third defeat in the last ten years, and they will need to rethink their strategy ahead of the final Test, which begins on March 9 in Ahmedabad. The pitches in the series have also received harsh criticism, and it remains to be seen whether India’s propensity for spin-friendly tracks will change in the future, with the home side hitters unable to cope with the difficult circumstances.

In their two innings, India only managed 109 and 163.

With Australia’s collapses in the second innings of Nagpur and Delhi, “anything” was possible on Friday morning. Australia were favourites chasing a meagre 76, but R Ashwin raised expectations of a miracle when catching Usman Khawaja behind in the second ball.

The ball took a quick turn and a light tickle on its approach to the wicketkeeper. The wicket heightened the tension in the Aussie dressing room.

Labuschagne calmed the jitters by square cutting Ravindra Jadeja for the day’s first boundary.

In the opening ten overs, both Labuschagne and Head, who is known for his offensive approach, were looking to defend, with Australia reaching 13 for one.

However, the momentum shifted drastically in Australia’s favour following the ball change following the 10th over.

The ball took a quick turn and a light tickle on its approach to the wicketkeeper. The wicket heightened the tension in the Aussie dressing room.

Labuschagne calmed the jitters by square cutting Ravindra Jadeja for the day’s first boundary.

In the opening ten overs, both Labuschagne and Head, who is known for his offensive approach, were looking to defend, with Australia reaching 13 for one.

However, the momentum shifted drastically in Australia’s favour following the ball change following the 10th over.

Even after the change of ball, Ashwin remained unhappy, and it showed in his bowling. In the 11th over, Head smacked the great Indian spinner for four and six over mid-on, as the premier spinner was guilty of bowling too full.

Head attacked Jadeja in the next over, hitting one clean over the bowler’s head, giving Labuschagne confidence to go for the sweep in the same over, taking the score to 35 for one in 12 overs.

There was no turning back for the Australian duo who had gathered enough confidence to go for their shots after that.

Labuschagne blasted the winning runs, a four over midwicket, to cap off an unforgettable victory.

Also Read: India vs Australia, 3rd Test Day 2: Nathan Lyon takes 8 wickets as India all out for 163