- Dec 2, 2024
- Apr 13, 2023
Australia ended the first session of Day 2 on a strong note at 347-4. Usman Khawaja was unbeaten on 150 off 334 balls and Cameron Green was unbeaten on 95 off 135 balls with 15 fours after the first session. Australia ended Day 1 on 255-4 with Khawaja on 104 off 251 balls and Green on 49 off 64 balls.
When Australia played on Day 1, Travis Head scored 32 off 44 balls with seven fours. Steve Smith had played an unlikely innings of 38 off 135 balls with three fours. Australia have had the upper hand coming into the Ahmedabad Test with a 9-wicket win at Indore. India had two convincing wins at Nagpur and Delhi by an innings and 132 runs and by 6 wickets. India had lost the last Test against Australia by 9 wickets.
On another note, things are not looking good for New Zealand at Christchurch either, if India are to qualify for the Test Championship final at the Oval if they draw the Ahmedabad Test, then, the Kiwis must beat Sri Lanka at home 2-0 at home.
The Islanders have kept the Kiwis on the mat on the first session of day 2 as well. A good show from the Sri Lankan bowlers meant that the blackcaps were reduced to 162-5. Lahiru Kumara picked up 2-34 in his 14-over spell. Asitha Fernando picked up 2-42 in his 19-over spell.
Sri Lanka have taken control of the game at Christchurch. The men from the Emerald Isle scored 355 on Day 1 in the first innings on the back of some wonderful batting contributions. When Sri Lanka batted, Kusal Mendis scored a magnificent 87 off 83 balls with 16 fours.
Dimuth Karunaratne scored 50 off 87 balls at the top for Sri Lanka Angelo Mathews scored 47 off 98 balls with six fours and one six. In the middle order, Dhananjaya de Silva scored 46 off 59 balls with five fours and one six. New Zealand would have been a bit thrown off by the way Sri Lanka have played the game so far.
Let us take a look at the reactions on Twitter:
Bruh 😭😭
— sumir. (@orgaynik) March 10, 2023
Don't worry they won't lose both tests
NZ will win next one— Gangstaa (@TOP1_MAVERICK) March 10, 2023
And not a good news for India from Ahmedabad too
— Samar Rajput (@samarbna) March 10, 2023
I have completely lost hopes on our qualification for WTC final…
— Neel 🇮🇳 (@NeelXi) March 10, 2023
Please save us Kiwis 😔
— 🖤⚡ (@HackngBuddy) March 10, 2023
Kya fayda finals m aake bhi. Our batsmen are struggling in Indian Conditions. With Cummins, Starc and Hazelwood at the Oval, our batters will be dancing on swinging deliveries. Only hope is Rohit, Virat and Puji to deliver.
— Vinit (@Vinitttttttt) March 10, 2023
Anyway we gonna choke in WTC final even if we qualify. So chill 😅😅
— DeJaVu (@GoodKarma_35) March 10, 2023
Lol imagine Sri Lanka stepping up but India lackin. Wtf we need to completely change our test team.
— Better Call Josh (☘️59-16) (@bettercalljosh1) March 10, 2023
Bye bye WTC finals. In a way it’s good because india would have been sitting ducks against Australia in Oval!
— Sourav Sinha (@sourav_sinha) March 10, 2023
India should depend on themselves not on SL. Let us win against Aus. If SL wins they deserve to play the final.
— Ziya (@Ziyab07) March 10, 2023