Sunday proved to be a nightmarish day for Team India as they suffered a demoralizing 209-run defeat against Australia on the final day of the World Test Championship final at The Oval. With a daunting target of 444 runs to chase, Team India began the day with hopes of a historic victory, needing 280 runs with seven wickets in hand. However, the Australian bowling attack showcased their dominance, dismantling the Rohit Sharma-led side and dismissing them for 234 runs.
Following the conclusion of the match, India’s captain, Rohit Sharma, addressed the controversial dismissal of opening batsman Shubman Gill on Day 4. The dismissal occurred when fast bowler Scott Boland managed to find the edge of Gill’s bat, leading to a diving catch by Cameron Green positioned in the gully. The on-field umpires referred the decision to the third umpire, Richard Kettleborough, who eventually declared Gill out.
Expressing his disappointment, Rohit Sharma criticized the decision-making process, suggesting that Kettleborough should have taken more time and reviewed additional replays before reaching a conclusion. Rohit also highlighted the lack of camera angles and technology used in the World Test Championship final compared to the Indian Premier League (IPL), where multiple camera angles and ultra-motion technology are utilized for such instances.
Rohit Sharma voiced his dissatisfaction in the post-match press conference, stating, “I just felt disappointed with – not enough. I mean, the third umpire should have seen a little more replays, a little more of, you know, how the catch has been held. It’s not about whether it was given out or not out, you need to have proper and clear information about anything. That was, that is something that I was a little disappointed with – the decision was made quite quickly.”
The Indian skipper emphasized the importance of being more than 100% certain in crucial moments, especially in a final match. He expressed his frustration with the limited camera angles presented during the review process and compared it to the abundance of angles available in the IPL. Rohit Sharma’s comments shed light on the need for improved technology and better decision-making protocols in major cricket events.
Ultimately, the defeat in the World Test Championship final added to India’s string of disappointments in ICC tournaments. Meanwhile, Australia celebrated their first-ever World Test Championship title, securing a resounding 209-run victory on the final day. The match highlighted the intense competition between the two teams and sparked discussions surrounding the controversial dismissal, which further fueled the debate on the use of technology and decision-making in cricket.