Team India succumbed to a crushing 209-run defeat in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023 final against Australia at The Oval on Sunday (June 11).
In the all-important fixture, Rohit Sharma won the toss and opted to bowl first but Indian bowlers failed to make the most of the overcast conditions. Australia rode on centuries from Travis Head (163) and Steve Smith (121) to pile up 469 in their first innings.
In response, India’s first innings folded for 296, conceding a substantial lead of 173 runs. Australia declared their second innings at 270/8 to set a huge target of 444.
Chasing the target, India were 164/3 at the close of play on Day 4 and needed 280 runs on the fifth and final day to bag the title. However, the Indian batting line-up collapsed in the first session to be bundled out for 234.
Reacting to India’s capitulation in the WTC final, Australia’s fast bowling legend Glenn McGrath on Monday (June 12) said "sometimes it can happen".
"Sometimes, it can happen like that. Yeah, conditions in England are a lot different to what Indian cricket has been playing in.
“Sometimes that happens that way, it's called that bit of dressing room pressure," McGrath, who is Director of Coaching at MRF Pace Foundation, told reporters in Chennai.
"Both teams haven't played a lot of Test cricket lately but that's the way it goes. You get on a bit of a roll going into that last day, Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane needed to put on a big partnership. You lose an early wicket, that can happen. It's a one-off Test match. I wouldn't be too concerned," he added.
India opener Shubman Gill's dismissal to a Cameron Green catch in the fourth innings of the WTC final sparked a massive debate.
In the final over before Tea break on Day 4, Gill edged the first delivery against Scott Boland and Green, who was stationed at gully, leaped to his left to hold onto an inconclusive catch.
The on-field umpires went upstairs to check for a clean catch. After watching the reply from multiple angles, TV umpire Richard Kettleborough came to a conclusion that Green’s fingers were underneath the ball and declared Gill out.
Talking about the controversial catch, McGrath said: "I think most of those catches are out. We find ways to give it not out which I like to go the other way. So, I was happy with it.”
"And if it was India taking that catch, I would have been happy too. I'm not just saying from an Australian perspective but the way it goes."
When asked about Pat Cummins' captaincy, McGrath said, "I think 280 on the last day with seven wickets in hand, it sounds gettable. But there's a lot more pressure, one wicket can change it, so from a bowling perspective you just know if you get enough balls in the right area you're going to create at least seven chances if not more.”
"So, captaincy, it's just doing the basics well. I think Pat Cummins did a great job. I'm sure he used his senior players well, and I know when he's bowling he hands the captaincy over to Steve Smith. The senior players worked well and you have to give credit to them."
Australia’s next assignment is the five-match Ashes Test series against England, beginning June 16 at Edgbaston.
"It (WTC) was a perfect lead-up for Australia into the Ashes, gives them a lot of confidence and to play in the conditions. So, I think they are in a good spot. England, there's a lot of talk about Bazball and I'm a big fan. I like that backing yourself, going out there, being positive, fourth innings to go out and play your shot, it's an aggressive mindset, and if you can get on top of the bowlers, you can score runs quickly and put the pressure back on them. My prediction is 5-nil," McGrath opined.
(With PTI Inputs)
