World Test Cup final: India’s Virat Kohli stands between Australia and the title

Australia are on course to be crowned world Test champions but must find a way to overcome India’s Virat Kohli if they are to win the final at The Oval.

Set a world record 444 to win, India reached 164-3 at the end of the fourth day, with Kohli in commanding touch for his 44 not out and Ajinkya Rahane unbeaten on 20.

India had earlier slumped to 91-3 after Cameron Green was controversially adjudged to have Shubman Gill caught and a stand of 51 between Rohit Sharma and Cheteshwar Pujara ended with both falling to add one run.

On a magnificent evening, when India’s passionate fans cheered every addition to the scoreboard, Australia needed seven more wickets, India another 280 runs.

Australia had earlier declared their second innings at 270-8 an hour after lunch with wicketkeeper Alex Carey 66 not out.

There is a make-up day planned for Monday if time is lost due to bad weather, but the forecast for Sunday suggests there will be plenty of time to decide the second world Test champions, after New Zealand two years ago.

If there is no time lost and the game ends in a draw on the fifth day, Australia and India will share the title.

Australia have the form of being on the wrong end of epic chases, both in this country and against India.

Four years ago, they were stunned by Ben Stokes’ heroics at Headingley, and in 2021, Rishabh Pant inspired India to a famous run chase in Brisbane that sealed the winning streak.

Realistically, India remain huge underdogs, but to their credit they kept the contest alive until the final day, especially as Australia controlled most of the first two.

The India support, which dominated most of the Oval, rose in excitement during the Rohit-Pujara stand, only for belief to be punctured by the knocks of Nathan Lyon and Pat Cummins.

As long as there is Kohli, there is hope and the former captain has the opportunity to add another chapter to his storied career by leading India to their first world title in any format since 2011.

But the task is certainly not up to even the king of Indian cricket and it will be Australia who begin the Ashes series on Friday as world Test champions.

One of the most worrying parts of the evening from an Australian perspective was how a previously devilish pitch appeared to be asleep. With little happening, they successfully lobbied for the ball to be replaced after just six overs.

Rohit and Gill had added 41 in just seven overs when Gill poked Scott Boland and Green pounced to take the hotly debated catch.

Undeterred, Rohit continued to pull with authority while Pujara bowled with class.

But in Lyon’s first over off the off-spinner, Rohit missed a shot and the review could not overturn the lbw decision on the pitch. In the next over, Pujara tried to uppercut Cummins and it went straight to Carey.

Kohli faced just one ball on the arrival of Rahane, who did not field after being repeatedly hit on the arm while making 89 in the first innings.

With Rahane playing the supporting role, Kohli went with his trademark mid-wicket clips and their partnership ended up costing 71.

Green has a reputation for superb gully catches — he took a blinder on Friday — but the controversy surrounding this latest catch generated the biggest talk of the day.

With lightning-quick reactions, Green reached his left arm down to pluck the ball from the turf. Gill stayed put and TV referee Richard Kettleborough was asked to review the replays.

When Kettleborough adjudged Green to have fumbled under the ball, the boos from the India fans turned into chants of “cheating, cheating, cheating”. Rohit hit the pad with his bat as Gill got away.

Speaking to Test Match Special afterwards, Green said: “I know it looks a bit strange but I knew straight away I had caught it.” Gill, meanwhile, posted a close-up of the catch with a face and palm emoji on Twitter.

It wasn’t the first memorable moment Green was involved in on Saturday. Earlier, he was bowled in a strange way by left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja, trying to kick the ball, only for it to deflect off his gloves and onto the stumps.

It was part of Australia’s slow progress in the morning session. From 123-4 overnight, they added 78 before lunch as Marnus Labuschagne climbed to first fall for 41.

Kerry was positive after lunch, adding 93 in 20 overs with Starc making 41. When India took the second new ball, Starc slipped to first slip and Cummins cut to point, both off Mohammed Shami, and Australia declared.

Australian all-rounder Cameron Green speaking to Test Match Special: “Obviously we are well ahead and in a good position. I’m not sure the pitch is (flattening), the ball is just older, softer. It was hard work, one or two loopholes and we probably think we’re done.

“We have always known Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane batted beautifully in the first innings. We’ll hope to fight back and take it early tomorrow.”

BBC cricket correspondent Jonathan Agnew: “I still think Australia have the upper hand, this partnership is so important for India to give themselves a chance to think about winning.”