Australia emerged victorious in the highly-anticipated World Test Championship final (WTC) of 2023, defeating India by 209 runs to claim their first WTC title. Throughout the match, the Australian team showcased their dominance, outperforming their Indian counterparts in all aspects of the game.
India faced the daunting task of chasing down 444 runs in the second innings to secure victory. Although hopes were ignited when Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane took the crease on the final day, their early dismissals dampened India’s chances. Scott Boland’s dismissal of Kohli shattered India’s aspirations, and the rest of the batting lineup collapsed swiftly, resulting in Australia’s triumph.
Following the heartbreaking loss, Ravichandran Ashwin, the veteran Indian all-rounder, expressed his thoughts on the game through a tweet. Ashwin congratulated Australia for their triumph and acknowledged the Indian team’s determination and resilience throughout the WTC cycle. Despite ending up on the losing side, Ashwin recognized the effort put forth by his teammates and the unwavering support provided by the coaching and support staff.
“Congratulations Australia on winning this #WTCFinal and closing out this cycle of test cricket. It is disappointing to end up on the wrong side of things, but it was a great effort over the last 2 years to get here in the first place. Amidst all the chaos and scathing assessments, I feel it’s very important to acknowledge all my teammates who played in this cycle and, most importantly, the coaching and support staffs who have held on like a rock of support,” Ashwin tweeted.
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Ashwin’s exclusion from the playing XI for the final at The Oval raised eyebrows and sparked debate. As the top-ranked Test bowler in the world, his absence puzzled experts and fans alike. Prominent figures such as Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag took to Twitter to voice their concerns and question the decision to leave out Ashwin following India’s defeat.
Despite the disappointment of the loss, the Indian team’s journey to the WTC final was commendable. Their perseverance and dedication over the past two years played a significant role in reaching this pinnacle of Test cricket. As the team reflects on their performance, they will undoubtedly draw lessons from this defeat and strive for future success.
