Last Updated on 2 years by Tarkesh Jha
Australia defeated India by nine wickets to win the third Test in Indore on Friday and thereby qualified for the World Test Championship (WTC) 2021-23 final at the Oval in June. The visitors sparked an incredible comeback powered by an impactful performance by debutant Matthew Kuhnemann and veteran spinner Nathan Lyon.
The pitch in the Holkar Stadium received a poor rating by the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Steven Smith-led side landed a fatal blow to the Indian team’s prospects by outperforming them in all departments especially after the drubbing they received in the first two Tests. Here are some of the most pertinent reactions on Twitter following India’s loss in the Indore Test.
Indian skipper was adamant on defending the Indore track irrespective of the criticism that it received from all quarters. He insisted that spin bowling and depth in the batting line-up are India’s strengths and that the team is interested in playing on surfaces that suit them on those fronts.
“Honestly speaking, these are the kind of pitches we want to play on. We want to play to our strength, and that strength is spin bowling and that batting depth. And everyone uses that advantage outside [India], so what’s wrong in that?” Rohit remarked.
He added, “We have got to do that as well, especially when we are getting results. If we were not getting the results, I would think otherwise, but I think we are playing well, we are getting the results that we want
Meanwhile, all the focus now shifts to the fourth Test starting in Ahmedabad from March 9 onwards. India will straightaway make it to the WTC final if they win that game. If the game ends in an Australian victory or a draw, then India’s chances for the same will rely on Sri Lanka not whitewashing New Zealand 2-0 in their series starting from March 9 in the Kiwi backyard.
