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Australia's dominant performance extinguishes India's hopes in the World Test Championship (WTC) final at The Oval, as they sealed a commanding 209-run victory on the final day.
On the last day, with a daunting task of chasing down 280 runs to secure a historic win, Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane received a warm reception as they stepped onto the pitch to resume India's second innings at 164-3.
However, the hopes were quickly shattered when Kohli fell victim to a wide delivery from Scott Boland. Steve Smith's sensational diving catch at slip added to India's woes, dealing a severe blow to their pursuit of victory.
Kohli, who had initially played defensively in the opening half-hour, opted for an attacking shot against Boland's wide delivery. Unfortunately, his aggressive drive resulted in a thick edge, brilliantly caught by Smith. The former Indian captain departed after scoring 49 runs, leaving a significant void in the team's batting lineup.
As the cameras turned to the crowd, Kohli's wife, Anushka Sharma, was captured expressing a mix of shock and confusion at the crucial dismissal. Her reaction resonated with fans worldwide, reflecting the realization that India now faced an uphill battle without their prolific Test batsman at the crease.
Australia's dominant display and Kohli's dismissal significantly dimmed India's chances of victory in the WTC final, ultimately culminating in a comprehensive win for the Australian side.