The fourth day’s action in the ongoing ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023 final between India and Australia at The Oval saw a riveting contest between bat and ball.

Australia declared their second innings at 270/8 and it meant that India were set a massive target of 444 runs.

In the chase, India got off to a positive start as Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill played some glorious strokes to take the team to 41/0 after 7 overs.

After Gill’s dismissal in the eighth over for 18, Cheteshwar Pujara joined skipper Rohit in the middle and the duo added 51 runs for the second wicket. However, both of them got out in quick succession to poor shots.

While Pujara (27) fell by playing an uncharacteristic ramp shot against Pat Cummins, Rohit lost his wicket to a sweep shot against Nathan Lyon.

After the day’s play, former India head coach Ravi Shastri slammed Pujara and Rohit for their shot selections.

“Never expected that shot from Pujara…that is get-out shot and he is back in the hut. It’s not the scoreboard pressure but poor shot selection.

“Rohit and Pujara must be kicking themselves for the shots they played,” Shastri said in a chat on Star Sports.

According to Shastri, weathering the storm in the first session on Day 5 will be key to India’s chances of winning the WTC final.

“Weathering the storm in the first session will be the key tomorrow. That is where the sting, if all, will be (on the pitch),” he said.

At the close of play on Day 4, India reached 164/3 with Virat Kohli (44*) and Ajinkya Rahane (20*) unbeaten in the middle.

While India need 280 more runs, Australia have to take the remaining seven wickets to clinch the WTC title on the fifth and final day.

(With PTI Inputs)