Kohli the key for India as WTC Final goes to day five with Australia in driving seat

But while Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane remain there will still be hope for India, and the pair will return to the middle on 44* and 20* respectively when play resumes on Sunday, with the forecast suggesting a small chance of rain on what promises to be an otherwise sunny day in south London.

An excellent and unbeaten half-century from Alex Carey and contributions from Mitchell Starc and Cameron Green saw Australia reach 270/8 when they declared midway through the day’s second session.

And, after an encouraging opening stand, India lost their top three facing an uphill task on the final day.

WTC Final Scorecard, Match Centre

India’s attempt at chasing an all-time high 444 to win a Test started at a fair lick, and it was Rohit who set the tone, pulling the second ball of the innings to the boundary.

However, Shubman Gill fell just before tea when Cameron Green was adjudged to have held on to a low catch at gully, giving Australia an opening.

It was a nice delivery from Scott Boland that found the edge of Gill’s bat, with the statuesque Green getting down low to his left with the grab.

Gill stood his ground, waiting for the decision to go upstairs to the television umpire. And, after a lengthy review process the decision was made and a disappointed Gill had to make way.

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The youngster’s opening partner Rohit Sharma departed after tea as the shadows began to lengthen at The Oval, trapped in-front by Nathan Lyon after missing a sweep shot.

And with the two dangerous openers back in the hutch and the risk of being put under fifth-day pressure minimised, Australia settled into their bowling effort. And they were handed an extra scalp when Cheteshwar Pujara attempted an uncharacteristic ramp shot that he edged through to Alex Carey behind the stumps.

Kohli and Rahane put on an unbeaten stand of 71 through to the close, with Virat joining an elite group during his innings, becoming only the fifth Indian batter to reach a career tally of 2000 runs in Tests against Australia.

Anything other than an Aussie win at this stage would be one of the all-time great cricket stories, particularly given the presence of a reserve day. Yet while the draw or an India win looks implausible, it’s not impossible while Kolhi and Rahane survive.

Australia had resumed on 123/4 on day four of the ICC World Test Championship Final, 296 ahead and four wickets down in their second dig, with India hoping to restrict the eventual target.

Umesh Yadav took the ball for the first spell in an unexpected tactical move from India, and the decision reaped rewards when the pacer found the edge of Marnus Labuschagne, with Cheteshwar Pujara holding on in the slips to send him back for 41.

India pushed and probed for wickets as Australia built a sizeable lead thanks to a partnership worth 43 between Alex Carey and Green took the sting out of India through the first hour.

But the excellent Ravindra Jadeja made it two wickets in the session when he removed Green in unusual fashion.

Carey and Mitchell Starc upped the run rate in the half hour before the interval, and a lead of 374 prompted thoughts about a declaration.

Runs flowed fast after lunch, as Carey reached a fine half-century and Starc had some fun at the other end.

The pair put on 93 runs in 120 balls before Starc got a touch on a Shami bouncer to send it through to the slips and depart for a lively 41.

Cummins opted against taking the declaration at that stage, coming out to the middle to heap a bit more onto the required total.

But the captain added just five runs in five balls before skying a catch to Axar Patel at point, and that was the signal for the declaration to come.

India’s rollicking start to their reply briefly offered some hope. But, having lost the top three, any lingering hopes fall on the shoulders of Kolhi and the first-innings top scorer Rahane.