India, for all its monetary clout and hoo-ha round its cricket, misplaced but once more when it mattered probably the most, as its underwhelming document in ICC tournaments continued with a 209-run hammering by Australia within the WTC last in London on Sunday.
Australian pacer Scott Boland produced a bowling spell of uncommon high quality to do away with Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja in the identical over, successfully shutting the door on India, who had been bowled out for 234 of their second innings on the ultimate day at The Oval.
Australia had been clearly the higher crew on all fronts whereas India had solely themselves guilty for one more loss in a world occasion. India’s final ICC title got here method again in 2013 and it was their second successive defeat within the WTC last, having gone down towards New Zealand two years in the past.
India misplaced seven wickets for the addition of 70 runs on the ultimate day.
Whereas the non collection of R Aswhin was the massive speaking level on the opening day, India misplaced the title contest primarily because of the failure of their high-profile batting line-up.
The highest 4 comprising Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara and Kohli didn’t ship within the high-stake recreation.
Chasing a document 444 at The Oval, Indian followers went into day 5 excessive on hope with Kohli (49) and Ajinkya Rahane (46) strolling into the center.
Nevertheless, Boland eradicating Kohli and Jadeja (0) within the seventh over of the morning just about shut the door on India, who resumed the day at 164 for 3 needing one other 280 runs for an unbelievable win.
Kohli, who had seemed in extraordinarily good contact on day 4, needed to make an enormous hundred if India needed to get wherever near the large goal.
On a floor with variable bounce, there was at all times going to be an odd ball that had your identify on it, and that’s what occurred with each Kohli and Jadeja.
Boland’s relentless pursuit across the off-stump has added an additional dimension to the Australian assault. Bowling from the pavilion finish, the seamer pitched one vast and Kohli went for the drive solely to be caught by a flying Steve Smith at second slip.
Two balls later, he acquired one to seam away from around the wicket and Jadeja ended up providing a simple catch to the wicketkeeper, leaving India at 179 for 5.
Okay S Bharat then joined Rahane who performed a few lovely straight drives off Mitchell Starc to maintain crowd going.
Starc drew his size again quickly after and Rahane went arduous at a ball that he may have left to be caught behind, sealing his crew’s destiny. The skilled batter was left tapping his head in frustration figuring out he went for the incorrect shot.
Shardul Thakur lasted simply 5 balls, lbw off Nathan Lyon, to make it 213 for seven. It appeared the match would final until lunch however the Indian tail made the duty simpler for the Australians and had been bowled out within the further half hour of play.
