World Test Championship (2021-23)

'Moti side India ko mile and patli Australia ko' - Fans react as India, Australia set to share Test mace if WTC final ends in draw

If the WTC final ends in a draw, despite using the reserve day, the trophy will be shared between India and Australia.

author-image
Akshay
New Update
IND vs AUS WTC final

IND vs AUS WTC final (Source: Twitter)

IND vs AUS WTC final IND vs AUS WTC final (Source: Twitter)

The adjudication of the Test champions for the 2021-23 cycle is currently underway at the Oval in London, where India and Australia compete in the World Test Championship (WTC) final. Australia will undoubtedly be the hipper side at the end of Day 1 following a dominance from their batters after being asked to bat first. The Pat Cummins-led team will resume at 327/3 with well-set Travis Head and Steve Smith at the crease.

Australia were the first team to qualify for the finals, finishing with a points percentage of 66.67, while India qualified after Sri Lanka lost the series to New Zealand and finished second with a points percentage of 58.8.Β  However, the team that finished higher on the points standings will have no advantage in the summit clash.

If the WTC final ends in a draw, despite using the reserve day, the trophy will be shared between India and Australia. Only a win will allow a team to lay claim to the Test mace.

The Cricket Governing Body has set aside a reserve day like last year if rain plays a spoilsport on any of the five days of the Ultimate Test. Rain disrupted the final of the 2019-21 WTC cycle between India and New Zealand, which the latter won by eight wickets.

The reserve day will be used if there is a significant loss in net playing time or overs in the first five days of the match. Every Test match has a net playing period of 30 hours, six hours per day, or 90 overs per day.

India will come hard at Smith and Head on Day 2

Talking about the ongoing match, Australia are now in the driving seat with Head close to 150 and Smith approaching his 31st Test century. The Kangaroos lost the wicket of Usman Khawaja for a 10-ball duck, but David Warner and Marnus Labuschagne played the new ball well and put on a 60+ partnership for the second wicket.

India got rid of Warner before lunch with a beautiful diving catch from wicketkeeper KS Bharat, while Mohammed Shami removed Labuschagne shortly after the break. However, things haven't gone to Team India's plan since then as Head and Smith made the Indian bowlers toil hard at The Oval. Rohit Sharma and Co will aim to get back on track by removing both at the start of Day 2.

Here's how fans reacted as India and Australia set to share the Test mace if WTC final ends in a draw:Β 

India Australia WTC