Sourav Ganguly decodes what went wrong for India at beginning of WTC Final
India's run of poor form continued in the knockout stages of ICC events as they lost the WTC final to Australia by 209 runs at The Oval last week.
Indian fans are heartbroken as their team once again failed to deliver in the knockouts of an ICC event. For the second consecutive time, India finished second-best in the WTC final as Pat Cummins' Australia defeated them by a massive 209 runs.
India were always behind the eight ball after Australia managed to score 327 runs for the loss of just 3 wickets on Day 1. Travis Head scored a blistering century while Steve Smith remained unbeaten on 95. In-form pacers - Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj - couldn't impress on a greenish track. However, things changed on Day 2 as India managed to restrict Australia from 361/3 to 469 all out. According to former BCCI president Sourav Ganguly, India lacked intent with the ball on Day 1 and it allowed Australia to get their noses ahead.
"Mohammad Siraj threw a ball towards Steve Smith in the first session of Day 2 in the WTC final and then India's bowling became different from both ends. Such intent was missing (on Day 1)," Ganguly told Sports Tak.
For the unversed, Smith pulled out at the last moment while Siraj was running in to bowl in the first over of Day 2. The Indian pacer did not take it kindly as he threw the ball towards the keeper to show his dissent.
Australia became the first team to win ICC world titles in all three formats of the game
India pulled things back considerably on Day 2 as Australia were bowled out for 469. However, the Indian batters could not perform to their potential against a well-oiled Australian bowling attack. The Rohit Sharma-led side conceded a 173-run lead in the first innings. Australia declared at 270/8 in their second innings to set India a daunting 444 for victory. India showed some fight but eventually got bowled out before lunch on Day 5.
With this thumping win, Australia scripted history as they became the first team to win ICC world titles in all three forms of the game. The five-time ODI World Cup winners bagged the T20 World Cup for the first time in 2021.
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