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The English summer morning broke over The Oval with a classic, brooding intensity. The sky was a canopy of thick, slate-grey clouds, trapping the moisture close to the surface of the pitch. The floodlights, already switched on at 10:30 AM, reflected off the lush, dew-kissed outfield.
For a fast bowler holding a nearly brand-new Dukes ball, these were the conditions you dreamed of. For a batsman, it was the stuff of nightmares.
Ravi Shastri (Voice echoing through the broadcast): "Good morning to viewers all around the world! Welcome to Day 2 of the Ultimate Test. The World Test Championship Final is beautifully, precariously poised. Australia resumes on 243 for 4. Steve Smith and Cameron Green fought back magnificently yesterday evening, but today is a brand new day. And crucially, that cherry-red Dukes ball is just one over old."
Nasser Hussain: "That is the defining factor today, Ravi. Virat Kohli took the second new ball right at the tail end of Day 1. Mohammed Siraj bowled the 81st over, and then the umpires called stumps. That means this morning, the ball is hard, the lacquer is intact, the seam is standing up proud, and the overhead conditions are absolutely perfect for swing bowling. It is going to be a trial by fire for Smith and Green."
Matthew Hayden: "The Aussies know exactly what's coming. They have to survive the first hour. If they can blunt this new ball, the pitch will flatten out, and they can look towards 400 or even 500. But weathering the storm of the Indian pace attack on a morning like this is the ultimate test of technique."
Down on the field, the Indian team formed a tight huddle. Virat Kohli, his face a mask of fierce concentration, was speaking animatedly. He pointed to the pitch, then to his fast bowlers.
"We don't give them an inch!" Kohli commanded, clapping his hands. "The ball will talk today. Hit the deck, find the seam, and squeeze them! Aarav, you start. Let's set the tone from ball one!"
The huddle broke with a unified roar. Aarav Pathak, the Vice-Captain, grabbed the new red Dukes ball from the umpire. He rubbed it vigorously against his trousers, his dark eyes locking onto the man at the striker's end: Steve Smith.
Over 82: The Vice-Captain
Aarav stood at his mark at the Pavilion End. He set an aggressive field—three slips, a gully, and a short leg. There were no sweepers. It was a field set for wickets, not for saving runs.
Ball 1: Aarav steamed in. The rhythm was explosive, the kinetic energy transferring seamlessly from his run-up into his delivery stride. 148.5 kmph. He bowled a full-length delivery, pitching it just on the off-stump line. The ball generated sudden, extra bounce off the fresh morning surface and jagged back in sharply off the pronounced Dukes seam.
Steve Smith, usually so immaculate with his footwork, was caught planted on the crease. The late movement completely defeated his defensive push. The ball beat the inside edge and smashed flush into Smith's front pad, high above the knee roll.
"HOWZZZAAAAAAT!" Aarav spun around, screaming at the top of his lungs, leaping into the air. The entire slip cordon—Kohli, Rohit, and Rahane—went up in a frenzied, synchronized appeal. Behind the stumps, KL Rahul leaped, joining the roar.
Umpire Richard Illingworth stood perfectly still. He shook his head. Not Out.
Ravi Shastri: "Huge appeal straight away! First ball of the morning and Aarav Pathak has Steve Smith hopping! The ball jagged back in viciously! The umpire says no, but Virat Kohli is sprinting in from slip!"
Kohli ran up to Aarav and KL Rahul. The timer for the DRS was ticking down. "What do you think, Seth?" Kohli asked urgently, his hand hovering over his chest, ready to make the 'T' signal.
Aarav was breathing hard, staring at the pitch. "It hit him flush, Virat bhai. The line was perfect. But..." Aarav hesitated, visualizing the trajectory. "The bounce. It kicked up hard off the seam."
KL Rahul nodded from behind the stumps. "It was climbing, Skip. I took it high. It might be clipping the bails or going over. It's a massive risk for a review."
Kohli grimaced, looking at the giant screen, then let out a frustrated sigh. "Okay. We leave it. Good ball, Aarav. Keep him there."
The DRS timer expired. Replays later showed the ball would have just grazed the very top of the bails—Umpire's Call. India had made the right choice to save the review, but the psychological blow had been landed.
Ball 2: Aarav walked back, a cold smirk on his face. He ran in again. This time, he bowled it slightly wider, hitting the channel of uncertainty. 151 kmph. Smith shouldered arms, leaving it alone. Dot.
Ball 3-6: For the rest of the over, Aarav was a metronome of hostility. He bowled heavy, back-of-a-length deliveries that kicked up at Smith's ribcage, forcing the Australian to fend them off awkwardly. There was no room to drive, no width to cut.
Nasser Hussain: "What a phenomenal start. A maiden over to kick off the day. Aarav Pathak is asking questions that Steve Smith doesn't want to answer this early in the morning. The ball is zipping off the surface."
End of Over 82.Score: Australia 243/4.
Over 83: Siraj
From the Vauxhall End, Mohammed Siraj took the ball. If Aarav relied on express pace and swing, Siraj was a master of the scrambled seam and hitting the deck hard.
Cameron Green was on strike. The towering all-rounder had counter-attacked brilliantly on Day 1, but this was a different day entirely.
Ball 1: Siraj ran in, his energy infectious. He bowled a good length delivery outside the off-stump. Instead of trying to swing it, Siraj hit a specific, slightly drier patch on the pitch. The ball reared up suddenly, flying past Green's outside edge as he tried to defend.
Matthew Hayden: "Whoa! Look at the bounce there! Siraj has immediately found a spot on that pitch that is misbehaving. Green is 6'6", and that ball almost hit his gloves on a good length! This is going to be incredibly difficult."
Ball 2-6: Siraj didn't deviate. He became obsessed with that single patch of turf. He pounded the ball onto the exact same spot, over and over again. Green looked completely unsettled. He played and missed twice, took his bottom hand off the bat once, and looked visibly frustrated by the lack of scoring opportunities.
Maiden Over.Score: Australia 243/4.
Ravi Shastri: "Back-to-back maidens! This is a classic Test match squeeze! The Indian pacers have put an absolute vice-grip on the Australian scoring rate. Not a single run in the first two overs of the day. The pressure is building like a pressure cooker!"
Over 84: Aarav Pathak to Steve Smith
Aarav continued his spell. The Vice-Captain was in a relentless mood. He bowled full, he bowled short, he swung it in, he seamed it away. Steve Smith, reduced to mere survival, shuffled across his stumps, leaving the ball with exaggerated flourishes, but he couldn't find a single gap to rotate the strike.
Aarav bowled another flawless Maiden Over.
Nasser Hussain: "Three maidens in a row! 18 consecutive dot balls! This is magnificent, hostile fast bowling. Aarav Pathak and Mohammed Siraj are operating on a completely different level this morning. Cameron Green and Steve Smith look like they are batting in a straitjacket."
Over 85
The scoreboard had refused to move. The tension was palpable. Cameron Green, a naturally aggressive player, was feeling the suffocation of facing deliveries without scoring a single run. The frustration was bubbling over.
Mohammed Siraj marked his run-up. Virat Kohli, sensing Green's impatience, subtly moved Aarav Pathak from first slip to a slightly wider, short extra-cover position inside the circle. It was a catching position designed specifically for a mistimed drive.
Ball 1: Siraj steamed in. He hit that exact same spot on the pitch—the danger zone. The ball kicked up violently, jagging back into the towering Australian. Green, forced onto the back foot, jammed his bat down just in time to defend it onto the pitch. Dot.
Ball 2: Siraj walked back to his mark, a wide, challenging smile on his face. He ran in hard again. This time, he pitched it just a fraction fuller, but still hitting the seam hard. It was the classic 'sucker ball'—full enough to tempt the drive, but bouncing enough to make it dangerous.
Cameron Green's patience finally snapped. Desperate to break the shackles and feel bat on ball, Green planted his massive front foot and threw his hands at it, looking to launch a booming cover drive over the infield to release the pressure.
But the extra bounce Siraj was generating off the pitch proved fatal. The ball didn't hit the sweet spot. It didn't hit the middle of the bat. Because of the steep rise, the ball smashed violently into the very top of the blade—right on the manufacturer's sticker.
The bat turned awkwardly in Green's hands. The ball popped up, losing all its power, and lobbed in a gentle, looping arc directly towards the short extra-cover region.
Aarav Pathak, stationed exactly where Kohli had placed him, didn't even have to dive. He took two quick steps forward, kept his eyes glued to the red leather, and comfortably reverse-cupped the ball at chest height.
As the ball settled into Aarav's hands, the Indian team exploded.
Ravi Shastri (Voice cracking with pure adrenaline): "IN THE AIR... AND TAKEN! AN EASY CATCH AT COVER! Siraj strikes the golden blow! The relentless pressure finally takes its toll! Cameron Green tries to force the issue, the extra bounce hits the sticker of the bat, and Aarav Pathak takes an absolute dolly at extra cover! The 100-plus run partnership is broken! India draws blood on Day 2!"
Matthew Hayden (Sighing heavily): "Oh, Cameron. He'll be kicking himself. You cannot play on the up when the ball is bouncing like that. The frustration got the better of him. Siraj kept hitting that spot, building the pressure with maiden overs, and Green finally snapped. Brilliant, tactical bowling from India, and a magnificent bowling change by Kohli to place Aarav exactly there."
Cameron Green stood frozen for a moment, staring at the pitch in disbelief before dragging himself off the field. The massive, crucial partnership was dead.
Cameron Green c Aarav b Siraj 68 (124)Score: Australia 243/5
The wicket of Cameron Green didn't just open a door; it blew the entire house down. The Australian lower-middle order, exposed to the swinging, seaming new Dukes ball on a gloomy morning, completely disintegrated.
Over 87: Mohammed Siraj to Steve Smith, batting on 78, realized he had to score quickly before the tail was blown away. Siraj bowled a fast, scrambling-seam delivery that jagged back in sharply. Smith, shuffling too far across his stumps, tried to flick it to the leg side. He missed it entirely. The ball thudded into the back pad. A massive appeal followed, and the umpire's finger went up. Smith reviewed, but Ball Tracking showed it crashing into the middle stump.
Nasser Hussain: "Got him! Siraj is on absolute fire! He has removed the two biggest obstacles in the space of three overs! Steve Smith's brilliant resistance comes to an end. Siraj is breathing fire at the ground!"
Steve Smith lbw b Siraj 78 (160)Score: Australia 255/6
Over 88: Aarav Pathak to Alex Carey
With the two set batters gone, Aarav returned to finish his masterclass. Alex Carey, the Australian wicket-keeper, walked into a nightmare. Aarav bowled a terrifying 152 kmph inswinging yorker first up. Carey dug it out. The very next ball, Aarav changed the angle. He went wide of the crease and bowled a perfect, searing outswinger on the fifth stump line. Carey, caught on the crease, poked tentatively at it. The ball kissed the outside edge and flew to the right of KL Rahul, who took a stunning, diving one-handed catch.
Harsha Bhogle: "EDGED AND GONE! The Vice-Captain joins the party! Aarav Pathak bowls an absolute peach of an outswinger, and Alex Carey has to walk back! That makes it four wickets in the innings for Aarav Pathak! He got Khawaja, Warner, Head yesterday, and now Carey! This is an unbelievable collapse!"
Alex Carey c Pant b Aarav 4 (9)Score: Australia 261/7
With the Australian tail exposed, Virat Kohli unleashed his 3rd Monster bowler, Mohammed Shami. If Siraj and Aarav were the storm, Shami was the executioner.
Shami's upright seam presentation proved to be too much for the Australian bowlers.
Over 92: Shami bowled the Australian captain, Pat Cummins, with a ball that nipped back sharply and clipped the top of the off-stump. (Cummins b Shami 12)
Over 96: Shami struck again, finding the outside edge of Nathan Lyon, comfortably caught by Ajinkya Rahane in the slips. (Lyon c Rahane b Shami 5)
The score limped to 298/9.
The morning session was drawing to a close. The sun was finally beginning to pierce through the clouds, but for Australia, it was too little, too late.
Over 112.4: Mohammed Siraj to Mitchell Starc Mitchell Starc had played a few lusty blows, pushing the Australian total past 300, trying to frustrate the Indians before Lunch. But Siraj was relentless. He ran in and bowled a fast, full delivery aimed directly at the base of the middle stump. Starc, trying to make room and hit it over the off-side, completely missed the line. The middle stump was uprooted, somersaulting backward in a spectacular fashion.
Ravi Shastri (Roaring in triumph): "BOWLED HIM! TIMBER! Mohammed Siraj finishes it off! The Australian innings comes to a crashing halt! What a sensational morning of Test match cricket for India! They took the new ball, and they absolutely demolished the Australian batting lineup!"
Mitchell Starc b Siraj 22 (45)
As the umpires pulled the bails to signal the end of the innings and the Lunch break, the Indian players jogged off the field, patting each other on the back. It had been a session of utter, ruthless dominance.
Australia 1st Innings: 311 All Out (112.4 Overs)
Scorecard Snapshot (I hope all these are correct! I tried calculating it 🙏🙏):
Steve Smith: 78 (160)
Cameron Green: 68 (124)
David Warner: 64 (110)
Mitchell Starc: 22 (45)
Bowling Figures (India):
Aarav Pathak: (Khawaja, Warner, Head, Carey)
Mohammed Siraj: (Green, Smith, Starc)
Mohammed Shami: (Cummins, Lyon)
Ravindra Jadeja: (Labuschagne)
In the Star Sports studio, the panel was buzzing with the sheer intensity of the morning's play.
Nasser Hussain: "I have to say, I am absolutely astounded by the hostility of that Indian pace attack. When they took that second new ball this morning, it felt like a completely different pitch. Aarav Pathak and Mohammed Siraj bowled with a venom that completely broke the back of the Australian resistance."
Matthew Hayden: "It was the perfect storm, Nasser. The overcast conditions helped, yes, but the execution was flawless. Siraj hitting that same spot to Cameron Green until he frustrated him into a false shot... that was high-IQ fast bowling. And Aarav Pathak finishing with a four-wicket haul? He continues to prove why he is the best all-format bowler in the world right now."
Ravi Shastri: "68 runs added. 6 wickets taken in a single session. That is how you win Test matches, gentlemen! India will walk into the dressing room for Lunch feeling on top of the world. Now, the onus shifts to Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill. The sun is coming out, the pitch will flatten out, and India has the perfect opportunity to bat Australia out of this World Test Championship Final!"
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The heavy oak doors of the Indian dressing room at The Oval swung shut, sealing out the damp, chilly London air and locking in an atmosphere of pure, unadulterated adrenaline.
India had just orchestrated a masterclass. They had taken the second new ball on the morning of Day 2, and in a devastating display of hostile fast bowling, they had completely unraveled the Australian batting order. From a menacing 243/4 overnight, Pat Cummins' men had been bundled out for just 311.
As the players trudged into the room, unstrapping their pads and pulling off their sweat-soaked sweaters, the energy was electric.
Virat Kohli, the captain, was buzzing. He didn't sit down. He paced the center of the room, his eyes wide and burning with that trademark, fierce intensity. He was clapping his hands loudly, the sharp smack-smack cutting through the chatter.
"Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant, boys!" Kohli roared, his voice echoing off the lockers. He walked straight up to Mohammed Siraj, grabbing the young fast bowler by the shoulders and shaking him affectionately. "Miyan! What a spell! You broke their back this morning!"
He moved down the line, pulling Mohammed Shami into a tight hug, patting his back aggressively. "Beautiful seam presentation, Shami bhai. They had no answers."
Finally, Kohli stopped in front of Aarav Pathak. The Vice-Captain was sitting on a bench, untying his bowling boots, looking exhausted but deeply satisfied with his four-wicket haul. Kohli didn't just pat him; he grabbed Aarav's head in both hands and shook it playfully.
"And you, my boy!" Kohli grinned, his eyes gleaming. "You took the pitch out of the equation! That ball to Carey? Pure magic! You three hunted like a pack of wolves today!"
Aarav chuckled, pushing his captain's hands away and leaning back. "Just doing the job, Virat bhai. The ball was moving nicely."
Kohli turned back to address the entire room. The praise was over. It was time for the masterplan.
"Listen to me, everyone!" Kohli commanded, his tone dropping into a serious, authoritative register. The room fell completely silent. Even the support staff stopped moving.
"We won the morning session," Kohli began, pointing a finger at the ground. "But the game isn't won in a session. Look outside. The sun is breaking through those clouds. The heavy roller is going to flatten out whatever demons are left in that pitch. By the evening, it is going to be a beautiful batting deck."
Kohli locked eyes with his two opening batsmen, Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill, who were quietly sitting in the corner, already strapping on their heavy white batting pads.
"This is our moment," Kohli stated, his voice dripping with absolute conviction. "Keep batting, and score runs! I don't want us looking to just survive. The pitch is getting better. Our target for this innings is 500 runs!"
A murmur went through the room. 500 in a WTC Final was a mammoth, match-defining total.
"If we can get a lead of 150 to 200 runs on this pitch, we will easily win this match," Kohli elaborated, drawing the roadmap to the mace. "They won't be able to survive our bowling on Day 4 and 5 with a 200-run deficit."
He walked directly over to Rohit and Gill.
"Ro, Gilly," Kohli said, his voice lowering to a focused, intense whisper. "Go for it. Play a good innings. Trust your defense, but punish the bad balls. I don't want either of you getting out today. And even if you do... do not get out before Tea! We need to bat through this session, and ideally, 10 to 20 overs after Tea. Break their legs in the outfield. Exhaust them."
Rohit Sharma, sitting with his signature, lazy elegance, simply nodded. "Got it, Cheeku. We'll grind them down."
Shubman Gill, looking sharp and incredibly focused, tapped his bat against his pad. "We'll set the platform, Virat bhai."
"Good," Kohli smiled, a cold, predatory smile. "Let's go take the World Test Championship."
The forty-minute lunch break evaporated in a flash. The umpires, Richard Illingworth and Chris Gaffaney, walked out onto the lush green outfield of The Oval. Behind them, Pat Cummins led the Australian team.
Due to a slight side strain picked up during the IPL, Josh Hazlewood had unfortunately been ruled out of the WTC Final. In his place, the relentless, naggingly accurate Scott Boland had stepped into the playing XI, joining Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins to form a formidable pace trio.
Ravi Shastri (Voice booming from the commentary box): "Welcome back, ladies and gentlemen! The sun is out, the pitch has been rolled, and the Indian openers are making their way to the middle. Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill. They have a massive responsibility on their shoulders. Australia were bowled out for 311. It's a decent total, but if India can bat big here, they can dictate the terms of this final."
Ricky Ponting: "It's going to be a fascinating battle, Ravi. The sun is out, which makes batting easier, but the Dukes ball will still swing. Mitchell Starc has the new ball in his hand. He will be looking for that magical inswinger to Rohit Sharma early on."
Over 1: Mitchell Starc to Rohit Sharma
Mitchell Starc stood at his mark at the Pavilion End. He polished the brand-new, cherry-red Dukes ball vigorously against his trousers. Rohit Sharma took his guard, middle and leg. He marked the crease with his spikes, looked around the field, and settled into his stance.
Ball 1: Starc steamed in. The long, bounding strides culminated in a high, explosive release. 144 kmph. He bowled a full-length delivery, slanting it across the right-hander, inviting the drive. Rohit, incredibly watchful, let it go safely through to Alex Carey. Dot.
Ball 2: Starc adjusted his line, bringing it closer to the off-stump, trying to angle it back in. It pitched on a good length. Rohit presented a dead-straight bat, defending it solidly off the front foot. Dot.
Ball 3: Starc, searching for swing, overpitched just a fraction. It was full, right in the driving slot outside the off-stump. You cannot bowl there to Rohit Sharma. Rohit didn't over-hit it. He leaned his weight forward, bringing his head perfectly over the ball, and caressed it beautifully through the covers. The timing was so sweet that the fielders didn't even bother giving chase. The ball raced across the lightning-fast outfield and crashed into the boundary boards. FOUR.
Nasser Hussain: "Oh, what a glorious stroke to get off the mark! A touch too full from Starc, and Rohit Sharma leans into it with all the elegance in the world! That is the shot of a man in supreme form!"
Ball 4-6: Starc immediately pulled his length back. He bowled three tight, probing deliveries on the fourth stump line. Rohit, having got his boundary, was content to shoulder arms to two and defend the last one solidly.
End of Over 1.Score: India 4/0. Runs from Over: 4.
Over 2: Pat Cummins to Shubman Gill
Ravi Shastri: "Pat Cummins to share the new ball. The Australian captain will be relentless. He doesn't give you bad balls. Shubman Gill is on strike. This is a massive test for the young man of Indian batting."
Ball 1-6: Cummins ran in, hitting the deck hard at 142 kmph. It was an absolute masterclass in fast bowling accuracy. Cummins hit the top of off-stump with terrifying consistency, forcing Gill to play at every single delivery.
But if Cummins was clinical, Shubman Gill was a revelation. Gill played with incredibly soft hands, letting the ball come to him rather than pushing at it. When Cummins bowled short, Gill dropped his wrists and let it sail over his head. When Cummins bowled full, Gill defended with a perfectly vertical bat, the ball dropping dead at his feet.
It was a flawless display of classical Test match technique. Maiden Over.
Ricky Ponting: "That is an outstanding over from Pat Cummins, but you have to admire the technique of Shubman Gill. His head is so still, his balance is immaculate. He leaves the ball with such certainty. India has truly found their second young gem in this boy, right alongside Aarav Pathak."
Score: India 4/0 (2 Overs).
What followed over the next two and a half hours was a grueling, beautiful, deeply absorbing passage of Test match cricket. The Australian pace trio of Starc, Cummins, and the naggingly accurate Scott Boland threw everything they had at the Indian openers. They swung the ball, they seamed it, they bowled bouncers, and they set intricate traps.
But Rohit and Gill had absorbed Virat Kohli's mandate completely. They refused to throw their wickets away.
Their partnership was a fascinating study in contrasts.
Rohit Sharma was playing the role of the calculated aggressor. He was patient, sometimes absorbing ten to twelve dot balls in a row against the unrelenting accuracy of Scott Boland. But the moment a bowler missed his length by an inch, Rohit pounced. He hit Boland for a majestic straight drive. He pulled a 145 kmph bouncer from Mitchell Starc deep into the stands for a colossal six. He played in bursts—defend, defend, defend, and then unleash a devastating boundary that released all the built-up pressure.
Shubman Gill, on the other hand, was an artist painting on a canvas. He didn't hit the ball hard; he manipulated it. He played a proper, classical Test innings. He used the crease brilliantly, rocking onto the back foot to punch Cummins through point, and leaning forward with incredibly soft hands to guide Starc past gully. He was a master of rotating the strike, ensuring that the Australian bowlers could never settle into a rhythm against one batsman. He was the perfect, serene counterweight to Rohit's explosive intent.
Nasser Hussain (During the 25th Over): "This is a monumental opening partnership for India. They have completely blunted the new Dukes ball. We often talk about Aarav Pathak as the generational talent for India, but watching Shubman Gill today... my goodness. He is the true heir to the classical Indian batting lineage. He is a phenomenal second young gem for this Indian side."
By the time the players took the Drinks break in the middle of the afternoon session, India had cruised past the 100-run mark without losing a wicket. The Australian fielders were looking increasingly frustrated, their shoulders beginning to droop under the London sun.
The score read 118/0 in the 32nd over. Pat Cummins was rubbing the red cherry on his trousers, looking exasperated. Starc was panting heavily near the boundary line. Scott Boland, despite his robotic accuracy, had nothing to show in the wickets column. The pace attack had been entirely neutralized by the sheer brilliance of the Indian openers.
Cummins realized that banging his head against the wall with pace was futile. The pitch was flat, and the ball was old. He needed to change the angle. He needed a mistake.
He threw the ball to the veteran. "Give it to Gazza."
Nathan Lyon, the greatest off-spinner in Australian history, took off his cap and handed it to the umpire. He cracked his knuckles, adjusting his field. He pushed mid-on back, brought a slip in, and set a catching short-leg.
Ravi Shastri: "And finally, after 32 overs of pace, Pat Cummins turns to spin. Nathan Lyon is introduced into the attack. Australia is desperate. They need a wicket, or this game will run away from them by Tea."
Over 33: Nathan Lyon to Shubman Gill
Ball 1: Lyon started from over the wicket, tossing the ball up nicely, inviting the drive. But Shubman Gill had his plans set. He didn't let the ball turn. He went down on one knee instantly, dragging the ball from outside the off-stump, and played a controlled, clinical sweep shot. It rolled along the carpet to deep square leg. 1 Run.
Ball 2: Rohit Sharma is on strike. He is batting on a majestic 68. Lyon fired this one in a bit flatter and quicker. Rohit stayed back in his crease, presenting a dead bat, punching it straight back to the bowler. Dot.
Ball 3: Lyon tossed the next delivery up, giving it a bit more loop and flight, pitching it on the middle stump line. It was exactly what Rohit Sharma was waiting for. The Indian captain cleared his front leg, got his front pad out of the way, and dropped down onto his back knee.
He executed a monstrous, ferocious slog-sweep. He connected with the absolute sweet spot of the willow. The sound was like a cannon going off at The Oval. The ball soared terrifyingly high into the London sky. It cleared the deep mid-wicket boundary, cleared the first few rows of spectators, and landed deep in the stands!
Ricky Ponting: "BANG! What a shot from Rohit Sharma! He sees the flight, gets down early, and absolutely launches Nathan Lyon into the stands! That is the aggression Virat Kohli bring to the Indian test side!"
Ball 4: Lyon, visibly rattled by the massive six, pulled his length back considerably, darting it in towards the pads. Rohit, reading the change in trajectory, tucked it softly towards short fine leg. Dot.
Ball 5: Nathan Lyon walked back to his mark. He wiped the sweat from his forehead. He knew he had to buy this wicket. He ran in. He bowled it slightly slower through the air, giving it an immense amount of over-spin.
The ball pitched on a perfect, teasing length on the middle and off-stump line. Rohit Sharma, brimming with confidence after the six, lunged forward, playing for the conventional off-break, hoping to smother the spin and defend it to the off-side.
But the pitch at The Oval finally bared its teeth. The ball gripped the surface viciously. It didn't just turn; it bounced. A high degree of sharp, spitting bounce and immense turn.
Rohit was completely beaten by the vicious jump of the ball. He tried to drop his hands, but it was too late. The ball caught the shoulder of the bat, kissing the thick edge/glove, and ballooned up softly.
Steve Smith, stationed perfectly at first slip, didn't even have to move. He just cupped his hands and accepted the gift.
Ravi Shastri (Screaming in disbelief): "GONE! GONE AND DUSTED! Oh, what a delivery from Nathan Lyon! Absolute magic! It gripped, it bounced, it turned square, and it takes the glove! Rohit Sharma is stunned! He hit a massive six two balls ago, but the GOAT of Australian spin has the last laugh! The 125-run opening stand is finally broken!"
Nasser Hussain: "That is the danger of high-quality spin, even on a flat deck! You give it over-spin, and the pitch will do the rest! It was virtually unplayable! Rohit Sharma departs for a brilliant 74, but Australia have the opening they so desperately craved!"
Rohit Sharma c Smith b Lyon 74 (105)Score: India 125/1 (32.5 Overs)
As Rohit Sharma walked back, shaking his head at the replay on the giant screens, the mood inside The Oval shifted entirely.
A new, low rumble began to echo around the stadium, quickly building into a deafening, unified chant.
"AA-RAV! AA-RAV! AA-RAV!"
Walking down the pavilion steps, adjusting his gloves, was the Vice-Captain of India. The Number 1 ranked batter in the world. The man who had terrorized England in this very country not too long ago.
Aarav Pathak.
The fans in England absolutely adored him. They remembered his heroics. They remembered the swagger.
Ricky Ponting: "And here he comes. The man of the moment. Aarav Pathak walks out to the middle. The Oval is on its feet! He is a superstar in every sense of the word, and he faces a crucial situation here. He needs to rebuild with Gill."
Aarav reached the crease. He bumped fists with Shubman Gill. "Ball is turning and bouncing, Seth," Gill warned softly. "That last one leaped off a length."
Aarav chewed his gum, looking at the pitch, then at Nathan Lyon. "Let it bounce," Aarav muttered, marking his guard on the middle stump.
Ball 6: Nathan Lyon to Aarav Pathak. Lyon, full of confidence, tossed it up, landing it on the exact same spot that had dismissed Rohit, hoping for another spitting delivery.
Aarav didn't lunge forward. He watched the ball closely, reading the length early. He stayed balanced on the crease, waited for the ball to do its trick, and brought his bat down with incredibly soft hands.
He didn't try to score. He didn't try to dominate immediately. He just played it late, right under his eyes, punching it softly and safely directly to the wicket-keeper, Alex Carey, on the bounce.
Dot.
End of Over 33.Score: India 125/1. Shubman Gill: 48* (92) Aarav Pathak: 0* (1)
Ravi Shastri: "A respectful, solid defense to end the over. Aarav Pathak is at the crease. The King is waiting in the pavilion. The Masterplan is in motion, and the World Test Championship Final is poised on an absolute knife-edge!"
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As the umpires dislodged the bails to signal the end of the afternoon session, a massive roar of appreciation rippled through The Oval. It had been a session of high-quality, uncompromising Test cricket. India had added 125 runs in 33 overs, losing only, Rohit Sharma, to a piece of magic from Nathan Lyon.
Harsha Bhogle: "And that is Tea on Day 2. What a captivating session we have just witnessed! India goes into the break at 125 for 1. India is 125 for 1, trailing by 186 runs. But the psychological dominance is entirely with the men in blue."
Ricky Ponting: "It's been a tough, grueling session for Pat Cummins and his men. The pitch has flattened out under the sun, but Nathan Lyon's breakthrough right at the stroke of Tea gives them a glimmer of hope. They need to come out firing in the final session. The new man, Aarav Pathak, has just faced one ball."
Ravi Shastri: "This final session is going to be pivotal. We have about 30 to 35 overs left in the day's play, depending on how quickly the light fades here in South London. If India bats through this session without losing more than one wicket, they will have Australia pinned to the mat."
Inside the Indian dressing room, the atmosphere was a mix of intense focus and quiet satisfaction. Rohit Sharma was unstrapping his pads, a towel draped over his shoulder, receiving a pat on the back from Head Coach Rahul Dravid.
"Well played, Ro," Dravid said warmly. "You set the perfect platform. That slog-sweep against Lyon... brilliant intent."
Rohit sighed, grabbing a cup of tea. "The ball just gripped and bounced, Rahul bhai. But the pitch is good. If these two stay out there for the next hour, we can completely dictate terms tomorrow."
In the corner, Aarav Pathak and Shubman Gill sat side-by-side, eating bananas and hydrating.
"Starc will come hard with the reverse swing now," Aarav noted, looking at the TV screen showing replays of the pitch. "The ball is scuffed up nicely."
"Let him come," Gill replied, wiping sweat from his forehead. He was on 48, two runs away from a crucial WTC Final half-century. "I'll take the pace, you handle Lyon if he tosses it up again."
Kohli walked past them, giving both a firm tap on the helmet. "Win the session, boys. Don't throw it away. Grind them down until their legs feel like lead."
The 20-minute break evaporated. The shadows at The Oval were growing longer as the floodlights began to take full effect, cutting through the encroaching London gloom.
The Australian team formed a tight huddle. Pat Cummins was speaking animatedly, pointing towards the pitch. They knew the next two hours were about survival as much as taking wickets.
Shubman Gill and Aarav Pathak walked down the pavilion steps, greeted by the thunderous chants of the Bharat Army.
Ravi Shastri: "Welcome back to the final session of Day 2. 30 to 35 overs to go, weather and light permitting. Mitchell Starc has the ball in his hand. He will be looking for some reverse swing with this 33-over-old Dukes ball. Shubman Gill, on 48, takes the strike."
Over 34: Mitchell Starc to Shubman Gill & Aarav Pathak
Ball 1: Starc steamed in from over the wicket, angling the ball across the right-hander. He hit a hard length at 142 kmph. Gill, watchful after the break, presented a dead-straight bat, defending it solidly to cover. Dot.
Ball 2: Starc went slightly fuller, aiming for the pads. Gill rolled his wrists beautifully, tucking it behind square on the leg side. He immediately called for the run. 1 Run. (Gill moves to 49*).
Ball 3: Aarav Pathak was on strike. He had faced a solitary delivery from Nathan Lyon before Tea. This was his first taste of pace in the innings. Starc, sensing an opportunity to rattle the new man, banged it in short and angled it fiercely into the body. Aarav didn't flinch. He got onto his toes and dropped his wrists, letting the ball thud harmlessly into his thigh pad, rolling down the pitch. Dot.
Ball 4: Starc pushed it wider, enticing the drive. The ball shaped away slightly off the seam. Aarav tracked it all the way into Alex Carey's gloves, shouldering arms with exaggerated precision. Dot.
Ball 5: Starc corrected his line, coming back to the fourth stump on a good length. Aarav didn't wait. He transferred his weight onto the back foot and punched it crisply through the covers. It wasn't hit hard enough for a boundary, but the timing was exquisite. 1 Run.
Ball 6: Shubman Gill back on strike, stranded on 49. Starc bowled a fast, full delivery swinging into the toes. Gill brought his bat down just in time, squeezing it into the gap at mid-wicket. He took off like a sprinter. Aarav matched his pace. 1 Run.
Ricky Ponting: "And there it is! A very, very well-compiled half-century for Shubman Gill! He has looked technically flawless today. Survived the tricky new ball and then accelerated beautifully with Rohit. A brilliant 50 in a World Test Championship Final!"
Gill took off his helmet, raising his bat to the dressing room to polite but roaring applause. A subdued celebration. He knew 50 was just the start.
End of Over 34.Score: India 128/1. Gill: 50* (95) Aarav: 1* (4)
Over 35: Nathan Lyon to the Vice-Captain
Pat Cummins immediately turned to Nathan Lyon from the other end. Lyon had just dismissed Rohit Sharma, and the pitch was offering significant turn and bounce.
Harsha Bhogle: "Nathan Lyon into the attack. He has his tail up after getting the Indian captain. Aarav Pathak will face him. This is going to be a fascinating battle of wits."
Ball 1: Lyon tossed it up to Gill. Gill used his feet slightly, nudging it gently to long-on for an easy rotation of strike. 1 Run.
Ball 2: Aarav Pathak on strike. Lyon, trying to exploit the rough outside the right-hander's off-stump, gave the ball plenty of air, drifting it in before trying to spin it away. Aarav watched the flight perfectly. He didn't smother the spin defensively. He cleared his front leg, got right to the pitch of the ball, and presented the full, gorgeous face of his MRF bat. He hit it with pure, unadulterated timing, lofting it straight back over Nathan Lyon's head. The ball one-bounced into the sight screen. FOUR.
Ravi Shastri (Booming): "BANG! STRAIGHT DOWN THE GROUND! What a way to greet the premier spinner! Aarav Pathak steps out and punches it over the bowler's head for a boundary! He is not going to let Nathan Lyon dictate terms on this pitch!"
Ball 3: Lyon, slightly rattled by the aggression, fired the next delivery in flatter and quicker, aiming for the middle and leg stump line to cramp the batsman. Aarav anticipated the change in trajectory. In a flash, he changed his grip, dropped down on his right knee, and executed a flawless, premeditated reverse sweep. He rolled his wrists perfectly, keeping the ball along the carpet, threading the gap past backward point. The sweeper on the boundary had to run hard to cut it off. 2 Runs.
Ricky Ponting: "Oh, that is audacious! A reverse sweep in Test cricket against Nathan Lyon just three balls into your spell against him! He is messing with Lyon's lengths and lines already. This kid plays without fear!"
Ball 4: Lyon dragged his length back considerably, bowling a dart on the off-stump. Aarav went deep into his crease and pushed it defensively to short cover. Dot.
Ball 5: Lyon tossed it up again, trying to find the rough. Aarav stepped out of his crease, but instead of driving, he realized he wasn't quite to the pitch. With incredible wrist work and balance, he checked his shot, rocking back slightly and punching it firmly through the extra cover region for a sharp single. 1 Run.
Ball 6: Shubman Gill on strike for the final delivery. Lyon bowled a classical off-break. Gill presented a dead bat, defending it solidly into the turf. Dot.
End of Over 35.Score: India 136/1. Runs from Over: 8.
Harsha Bhogle: "A fantastic over for India! Eight runs off it, and Aarav Pathak has completely disrupted Nathan Lyon's rhythm. A straight drive over the bowler's head, followed by a reverse sweep. He is putting the pressure right back on Australia in this final session!"
As the umpires called the end of the over, Aarav and Gill met mid-pitch, tapping gloves. "He's bowling flatter now," Aarav noted, chewing his gum. "The reverse sweep spooked him."
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The tea break had done nothing to cool the simmering heat of the Indian batting lineup. If anything, the twenty-minute pause had allowed Aarav Pathak to fully calibrate his mindset. The English sun was beginning its slow descent over The Oval, casting long, dramatic shadows across the pristine green turf.
India resumed at 136/1. The deficit was shrinking, but the psychological deficit of the Australian team was expanding by the second.
Pat Cummins, desperate for a breakthrough with the older Dukes ball, marked his run-up. Aarav Pathak took his guard. But it wasn't his usual, orthodox Test match stance.
He stood slightly wide of the crease. His chest was puffed out, his shoulders broad and relaxed. He was rhythmically chewing a piece of gum, his jaw moving with a slow, almost hypnotic cadence. He didn't tap his bat frantically. He just held it slightly raised, looking down the pitch with an expression of absolute, unbothered boredom.
Ravi Shastri: "Look at the body language! Just look at him! It brings back memories of the great Sir Vivian Richards! He is not wearing a cap, but the aura is identical. The puffed chest, the casual swagger, the chewing gum... he is projecting absolute supremacy before the bowler has even started his run-up!"
Ball 1: Cummins hit the deck hard. A beautiful, seam-up delivery that pitched on the fourth stump and jagged back in sharply. Most batsmen would scramble to cover their stumps. Aarav didn't move his feet. He simply dropped his hands, arched his back slightly, and let the ball whiz past his off-stump, a mere centimeter from the timber. He didn't even look back at the keeper. He kept his eyes locked onto Cummins.
Ian Bishop: "Oh, the arrogance of the leave! He trusts his eyes completely! That missed the off-stump by a coat of varnish, and Aarav Pathak doesn't even blink! He is farming aura out there!"
The next hour of play was, to put it mildly, humiliating for the Aussie especially in finals.
Shubman Gill, who was batting beautifully on a half-century, realized very quickly what was happening. The Prince of Punjab recognized that his captain was operating in a 'God Mode' trance.
So, Gill adapted his game. He stopped looking for boundaries. If Nathan Lyon tossed it up, Gill would gracefully tap it to long-on for a single. If Mitchell Starc bowled on the pads, Gill would nudge it to square leg and jog to the other end.
He was deliberately, effortlessly handing the strike back to Aarav. And Aarav was feasting.
Over 42: Mitchell Starc to Aarav Pathak
Starc, visually frustrated by the ease with which the Indians were milking the bowling, decided to resort to absolute hostility.
Ball 3: Starc dug it in short. A 148 kmph bouncer directed straight at the badge of the helmet. Aarav didn't duck. He didn't sway. He stood tall, rolled his wrists, and played a ferocious Ramp Shot. He used Starc's extreme pace, guiding the ball directly over the slip cordon. It flew all the way into the crowd. SIX!
Starc stopped in his follow-through. He glared at Aarav, breathing heavily, and muttered a few choice, aggressive words.
Aarav didn't ignore him. He slowly walked down the pitch, tapping the turf with his bat. He stopped halfway, chewing his gum, and looked Starc dead in the eye.
"Pace is dropping, Mitch," Aarav said, his voice easily picked up by the stump mic, carrying a cold, mocking edge. "You used to be quicker. Need me to slow down my bat swing so you can catch up?"
Starc's face turned bright red. Marnus Labuschagne, fielding at short leg, tried to chime in to defend his bowler. "Focus on the ball, mate. You'll nick off soon."
The entire slip cordon went dead silent. Virat Kohli, watching from the dressing room balcony, burst out laughing, clapping his hands in sheer delight.
With the mental dominance secured, the physical assault went into overdrive. The fans at The Oval were treated to an exhibition of stroke-play that felt entirely surreal for a World Test Championship Final.
When Pat Cummins offered a fraction of width, Aarav rocked onto his back foot and slapped it fiercely past point. The ball hit the boundary boards before the fielder even completed his dive.
Nathan Lyon tried to bowl into the rough. Aarav stepped out, made room, and lofted him inside-out over extra cover with such disdain that Lyon actually put his hands on his hips and sighed.
Just to rub salt into the wounds, Aarav dropped to one knee and reverse-swept the premier Australian off-spinner for a one-bounce four over short third man.
At the non-striker's end, Shubman Gill was practically leaning on his bat, smiling widely. Every time they crossed for a run, Gill would just shake his head and laugh.
"They have no idea where to bowl to you, Pathak," Gill chuckled as they bumped gloves at the end of the over.
"They shouldn't have bowled first," Aarav smirked, adjusting his helmet. "Let's finish the day strong. No wickets."
As the shadows lengthened and the floodlights took total control of the London evening, Pat Cummins set defensive fields. He put a sweeper cover, a deep point, and a deep square leg. He was no longer trying to get them out; he was just trying to stop the bleeding before the umpires called stumps.
It was a staggering admission of defeat from the Aussies.
Aarav and Gill gladly accepted the easy singles. They knocked the ball around with lazy elegance, making the exhausted Australian fielders chase shadows.
Over 60: Nathan Lyon to Aarav Pathak
Ball 6: Lyon tossed up the final delivery of the day. Aarav stepped forward, presented a perfectly straight, dead bat, and smothered the spin. He picked up the ball, tossed it gently to the umpire, Richard Illingworth, and pulled off his gloves.
"STUMPS, DAY 2."
Ravi Shastri (Voice filled with awe): "And that brings an end to a day of absolute, unmitigated domination! Look at the scoreboard! Look at the faces of the Australians! They look like they have been through a washing machine! India finishes Day 2 on 226 for 1! They have almost wiped out the deficit in two sessions!"
Ian Bishop: "It has been an absolute privilege to watch this partnership. Shubman Gill has been the perfect, serene anchor. But Aarav Pathak... he has played an innings of such supreme arrogance and flawless skill that it has completely broken the Australian spirit."
Harsha Bhogle: "You look at the body language of the fielding side. They are trudging off the field. There is no chatter, no high-fives. They know they have been utterly outclassed today. Aarav Pathak didn't just score runs; he asked for command. He owned the 22 yards of The Oval."
As the Indian pair walked off the field, the crowd rose for a deafening standing ovation. The Bharat Army was beating their dhols in a frenzy.
Day 2 Stumps Scorecard:
India 1st Innings: 226/1 (60 Overs)
Shubman Gill: 78*
Aarav Pathak: 71*
India trails by 85 runs.
Aarav walked off, chewing his gum, his chest still puffed out. He didn't wave wildly; he just gave a small, confident nod to the dressing room balcony where Virat Kohli and Rahul Dravid were giving him a standing ovation.
He had taken the pitch, the swing, and the opposition's ego completely out of the equation. Tomorrow, they wouldn't just wipe out the deficit; they would build an empire on it.
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