Ajinkya Rahane and Virat Kohli stitched a crucial 71-run stand to keep India alive in the World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia. Their efforts helped India reach 164/3 at stumps and they now need 280 more to win. Earlier, Rohit Sharma got India off to a belter of a start in their improbable 444-run chase with help from Shubman Gill first and Cheteshwar Pujara. The opening partnership between Rohit and Gill brought in 41 off just 44 balls. Rohit and Pujara then put up 51 off 77 before India’s progress was dented by both batters getting dismissed within minutes of each other. Kohli and Rahane then mended the damage done by that double blow. If we look at Australia’s second innings, Alex Carey and Mitchell Starc shut the door for India to ensure that Australia were not all out for a second time in the match. Australia declared on a score of 270/8. India will have to shatter the record for the highest successful run chase in the history of Test cricket to win the WTC Final mace
