Team India senior pacer Mohammed Shami has said that everyone 100 per cent believes India will win the World Test Championship (WTC) final by chasing down 280 on the final day of the Test match. Test cricket is at its absolute best, as both sides have a 50-50 chance of winning their maiden Test mace. India ended Day 4 on a positive note with Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane looking solid at the crease, but Australia will not be disappointed as they picked up three wickets in the process.
At the press conference following the conclusion of Day 4, Shami said, "100 per cent everyone believes that tomorrow we will win the match. Because we have always fought. We perform well around the world. Not here only. So, we believe and we always come together to win this match."
On the back of brilliant centuries from Steve Smith and Travis Head, Australia posted a huge total of 469 runs in their first innings. The Aussie bowlers continued the momentum and dismantled the Indian top order, but thanks to a fightback from Ajinkya Rahane, Ravindra Jadeja and Shardul Thakur, India managed to post 296 runs. The Kangaroos came out with the intention of attacking in the second innings, which they managed to do, allowing captain Pat Cummins to declare at 270-8 with one and a half sessions remaining in the game.
India must script history if they are to be crowned
India has a mammoth target to chase in order to get their hands on the mace, and their openers gave a perfect start in the process. Unfortunately, Shubman Gill had to go in a controversial umpiring decision, but Rohit Sharma and Cheteshwar Pujara steadied the ship by adding a 50 run partnership. Australia regained control by removing both of them in rapid succession.
However, Rahane (20* off 59) and Virat Kohli (44* off 60) later ensured that India did not lose a single wicket and forged a good partnership. India will want the duo to form a big partnership as it will be crucial for the Men in Blue to win the Ultimate Test. India must write history if they are to be crowned, as the highest-ever successful chase at The Oval is 263, which was recorded in 1902.
"According to me, if you bat well, 280 runs - is not a big score. You should bat normally as a Test match. You should focus on playing ball by ball. You should not look at the long target. So, according to me, chances of success are higher there. When you keep small goals and targets, you will get more success," Shami concluded.
Here's how fans reacted to Mohammed Shami's statement:Â
That's overconfidence, everyone in the world knows its next to impossible to chase this huge target
— Utsav Bhati (@bhati_utsav) June 11, 2023
But hope is all we can have
Same here Shami bhai...I also believe that 280 is well within our reach and we can easily chase it down today.
— Shraddha Mishra (@Shraddha3080) June 11, 2023
Good ahead Team 🇮🇳.
I agree with you shami - I strongly believe we can win tomorrow -
— Nikhil Hiralal (@HiralalNikhil) June 10, 2023
Shami bhay himself pic.twitter.com/5LQohH7Tlp
— Bharat (@savageunclown45) June 10, 2023
Bohot run baaki hai, thamo thoda
— BATMAN (@TheBatmanSaidSo) June 10, 2023
Lets go boys🔥
— msd_stan (@bdrijalab) June 10, 2023
Bring the trophy mace back home
This Is What We All Want #Believe
— Narendra Modi fan (@narendramodi177) June 10, 2023
This confidence will win us the game. Fingers crossed.
— Anoop Mishra (@Anupmis25) June 10, 2023
Shami Bhai
— Indian02 (@Indian0213) June 11, 2023
Hoping for good innings with bat also 🥵🥵