Australian attack ripped through India's top order to leave Rohit Sharma's lead side five down and still trailing by 318 runs at the time of stumps on Thursday.
Australia have dominated the majority of the opening two days of the 'Ultimate Test' at The Oval on the back of centuries from batters Travis Head and Steve Smith and outstanding bowling performances from their pacers.
Head was the star of the day, slamming the first-ever century in a WTC Final and hitting the first of his six Test tons to come outside of Australia, finishing on 146 unbeaten.
Engineer said, "It does not get bigger than this and that's why I am here to support my beloved country. Although I am wearing an MCC tie, as am their honorary life member, India's decision after winning the toss was a bit surprising. I think they decided to bowl first as they did not want t
India skipper Rohit Sharma's decision of bowling first initially seemed to have paid off. However, Head and Smith's unbeaten partnership of 251 runs put the Australians in the driver's seat at the close of play on Day 1.
From the very first ball, Head looked reading the surface well, judging the movement of the Duke ball as well as picking up the bowlers' lines and lengths.
Australian batters Steve Smith and Travis Head dominated the Indian bowlers for the better part of the second session of the World Test Championship 2023 final at the Oval in London on Wednesday.
Smith's highest test score against India is 192 at Australia's largest cricket stadium, the Melbourne Cricket Ground, while Kohli's highest test score against Australia is 186 in India's largest cricket stadium, the Narendra Modi Stadium
At Lunch, Australia were 73/2 (23) with Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith holding fort for the Baggy Greens at their individual scores of 26(61)* and 2(7)* respectively.