On Day 3 of the 2023 World Test Championship Final at the Oval, it took an amazing catch by Australian all-rounder Cameron Green to stop Ajinkya Rahane’s good luck and stop him from making a century in his dream return.
On the last ball of the 62nd over, Pat Cummins bowled short and wide to Rahane. Rahane tried to punch it away from his body but got a thick edge. It went so fast that Green, who was in the ditch, didn’t even have time to try to follow it. He just reached out and threw his right hand toward it on a whim, and it landed in his hand.
Rahane looked like he was in great shape, but he had to go back after lunch for 89. He was just 11 runs short of what could have been a dream return century, and India was fighting at 261-7.
Since his first game, Green has owned the gully position with his great handling and strong two-meter-tall body. But earlier in the game, he missed a much easier catch, which gave Shardul Thakur a second chance.
Both hitters had more than one chance. Fans think that a comeback may be in the cards because Cummins didn’t bowl any no-balls and several catches were dropped behind the stumps, which saved them from being out LBW.
After Ajinkya Rahane’s wicket, India did not have to bat again, but they were still very far behind.
The last bit of hope for India went out when Ajinkya Rahane was sent off. The former vice captain was replaced on the field by Umesh Yadav, who hit a boundary that helped India avoid a follow-on and get out.
Shardul Thakur is still at the wicket, but he is slowly running out of partners. He has saved more chances than his partner and has been hit a few times. He would have to find a way to get India to 300, and then it would be up to the bowlers to fix what they did wrong in the first game and make the most of this match.
