India were given their biggest blow in the first half hour of Day 5 of the WTC Final 2023 as Virat Kohli edged a wide-ish delivery from Scott Boland and Steve Smith took a spectacular catch in the slips.
Kohli had come out with great hopes and expectations from the country to save, or even win, the WTC Final 2023 against Australia after India had been behind in the match throughout.
However, a potent, relentless, brilliantly-planned spell from the ever-metronomic Scott Boland saw the back of the former India captain early in the morning session, denting the hopes of the billion-strong Indian fans of an improbable result.
Boland started off the day with as an accurate spell as he’s bowled throughout the Test, and throughout his career, testing both Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane with his tough, good lines and lengths, keeping it on and around the off-stump. After tying down Virat with his good length and line deliveries for the entire over, Boland pushed one full and wide, inviting the India batter into the drive.
Kohli obliged. And gave away an outside edge, throwing away his wicket after batting superbly and patiently for his 49 runs.
The dismissal was heart-breaking, and the manner of Virat’s dismissal was really frustrating for the Indian fans. For on many occasions in Test cricket has Kohli got out edging while driving. Fans reckoned the former skipper should have had more self-control and should have been able to shelve the drive, at least for the first hour of the day.
This led to some trolling of Virat Kohli for the way of his dismissal:
