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The walk through the Long Room at The Oval is usually a quiet, dignified affair, steeped in centuries of tradition. But as Virat Kohli made his way through the historic corridors, the applause from the MCC members was thunderous.
The moment he pushed open the heavy wooden doors of the Indian dressing room, the polite applause of the English members was replaced by absolute bedlam.
The entire Indian squad was on their feet. Towels were being swung like helicopters, water bottles were being banged against lockers, and the noise was deafening.
Rohit Sharma, wearing his classic relaxed grin and a pair of sliders, was the first to meet them. He didn't just offer a handshake; he pulled Virat into a massive hug, slapping his back hard, before turning to Aarav and grabbing him by the shoulders.
"Arey bhai! Pagal kar diya tum dono ne unko! (You two drove them absolutely crazy!)" Rohit laughed, his thick, affectionate Mumbaikar accent coming out in full force. "Kya player ho yaar tum log! Kasam se, TV pe dekhne mein hi thak gaya main! (What players you guys are! I swear, I got tired just watching you two on the TV!)"
Aarav, his jersey soaked with sweat and stained with the red dirt of the pitch, grinned wearily, leaning against a locker. "Captain ka order tha, Rohit bhai!. (It was the Captain's order, Rohit.) Bat them out of the game."
"And you literally battered them," Rohit chuckled, tossing a cold bottle of water to Kohli. "Bhai, the Aussies looked like they wanted to book their flights back to Sydney during that last session. Ekdum rula diya unko! (You completely made them cry!)"
Rahul Dravid walked over, offering his signature, understated smile. He patted Kohli on the back. "Outstanding application, boys. That is how you dominate a Test match. Go rest, get some fluids in. Tomorrow, we hunt."
"Legs are dead," Kohli admitted, finally taking off his heavy batting pads, letting out a long sigh of relief. "Running those threes on this massive outfield... I think I left half my hamstrings out there."
"Speak for yourself, Virat bhai," Shubman Gill chimed in from the corner, eating an apple. "When you and Aarav batted together, Aarav was running like he was late for a flight. Aarav, do you even sweat, or is that just for the cameras?"
"I'm currently 80% sweat and 20% adrenaline, Gilly," Aarav retorted. "Give me an hour, and I'll probably collapse."
Two hours later, the team had returned to the luxurious confines of The Landmark Hotel in central London. After a quick, hot shower and a massive room-service dinner, the physical toll of Day 3 finally caught up to the two centurions.
Aarav and Virat found themselves in the team's makeshift physiotherapy room—a large, dimly lit suite that smelled strongly of peppermint massage oil and Deep Heat.
They were lying face down on two adjacent massage tables. Kamlesh, the assistant physio, was working ruthlessly on Aarav's calves, while the head physio, Nitin Patel, was trying to unknot the tension in Kohli's lower back.
"Aah... Kamlesh bhai, thoda aaram se, (Kamlesh bro, a little gently,)" Aarav groaned into the face-cradle as the physio dug an elbow into his calf muscle. "I have to bowl tomorrow. If you break my leg, Rahul bhai will fire you."
"Tension mat lo, Boss, (Don't worry, Boss,)" Kamlesh chuckled, not easing the pressure one bit. "Kal aap hawa mein udoge. (Tomorrow you will fly in the air.)"
Suddenly, the quiet, relaxing atmosphere of the room was violently interrupted. The door swung open, and in walked the loudest trio in the Indian cricket team.
Mohammed Siraj, Mohammed Shami, and Shubman Gill barged in. Siraj was holding a cup of tea, Shami had a towel draped over his shoulder, and Gill was scrolling through his phone.
"Arre! Dekho toh kaun hai yahan! (Oh! Look who is here!)" Siraj announced loudly, his Hyderabadi accent echoing in the room. "The King aur the Prince dono ek saath service le rahe hain! (The King and the Prince both taking service together!)"
Kohli turned his head slightly to glare at Siraj. "Miyan, awaaz thodi neeche. Sir mein dard ho raha hai. (Miyan, lower your voice a bit. I have a headache.)"
"Sorry, Virat bhai, sorry!" Siraj grinned unapologetically, pulling up a chair and sitting backward on it, resting his chin on the backrest. "Lekin kya khele aap dono aaj! Kasam se, maza aa gaya! (But how you two played today! I swear, it was so much fun!)"
Shami walked over and leaned against the wall next to Aarav's table, looking down at the young Vice-Captain with a veteran's wisdom.
"Bhai, sach bataun? (Brother, tell you the truth?)" Shami said, shaking his head. "Tum dono bhagte ho, thak hum jaate hain dekh ke! (You two run, but we get tired just watching you!) Aarav, tu toh fast bowler hai. Itna kaun bhagta hai yaar? Mere toh ghutne dard karne lagte hain tumhara running between the wickets dekh ke! (Aarav, you are a fast bowler. Who runs this much, man? My knees start aching just watching your running between the wickets!)"
Aarav chuckled, turning his head to look at Shami. "Shami bhai, if I don't run fast, Virat bhai will abuse me on live television. I run out of fear, not fitness."
Kohli let out a muffled laugh from the other table. "Jhootha! (Liar!) You were the one pushing for the third run in the middle! Kamlesh, press his hamstring harder, he's lying."
"Ouch! No, no, Kamlesh bhai, please!" Aarav yelped as the physio obliged.
Shubman Gill hopped onto the edge of an empty treatment bed, highly amused by the suffering of his captain and vice-captain. "I saw the Aussie faces today," Gill laughed, putting his phone away. "Marnus Labuschagne looked like he was contemplating retirement. Every time Aarav hit a boundary, Marnus was just staring at the sky asking for rain."
"Arey, kal dekhna tum, (Hey, watch tomorrow,)" Siraj interjected, his eyes lighting up with competitive fire. "Kal subah nayi ball se main aur Aarav bhai unki aisi-taisi karenge! (Tomorrow morning with the new ball, Aarav bro and I will completely wreck them!) Khawaja ko toh main out-swinger pe fasaaunga! (I'll trap Khawaja on the out-swinger!)"
Shami rolled his eyes at the energetic youngster. "Miyan, pehle line aur length pe dhyan de dena. Excitement mein wide mat phek dena kal. (Miyan, focus on line and length first. Don't throw wides tomorrow in excitement.)"
"Arre Shami bhai! Aap mere pe bharosa nahi karte? (Oh Shami bro! You don't trust me?)" Siraj protested, acting deeply offended. "Kal dekhna. Stumps udte hue dikhenge aapko! (Watch tomorrow. You will see stumps flying!)"
Aarav smiled, resting his head back in the cradle. This was exactly what he loved about this team. The sheer, unfiltered brotherhood. The pressure of the WTC Final was monumental, but in this room, they were just five guys pulling each other's legs.
"Siraj is right," Aarav mumbled, his voice sleepy but laced with absolute confidence. "Tomorrow morning, we don't give them an inch. First ten overs... pure aggression. If we get Smith and Head early, they will fold."
"Done," Kohli agreed from the next table. "I'll be in the slips. Just find the edge, boys. I won't drop anything."
"Except maybe a catch if it's too easy," Gill teased, "as you have uncanny record of dropping easy catches and taking difficult one!".
Kohli immediately lifted his head, glaring at the youngster. "Shubman, I am the captain for this match. I can make you field at short leg for the entire day tomorrow. Don't test me."
"Sorry, Skip! Just kidding!" Gill immediately surrendered, raising his hands in defeat while Siraj and Shami burst out laughing.
Kamlesh finally patted Aarav's back. "Done, Aarav bhai. Muscles are relaxed. Drink plenty of water and sleep."
Aarav slowly pushed himself up off the table, groaning as his stiff joints protested. He threw on his t-shirt, feeling immensely lighter.
"Thanks, Kamlesh," Aarav said, ruffling Siraj's hair as he walked past him. "Go to sleep, Miyan. We have a World Test Championship to win tomorrow."
"Insha'Allah, Aarav!" Siraj beamed. "Kal sham tak cup apna hoga! (By tomorrow evening, the cup will be ours!)"
Aarav walked out of the physio room, leaving the banter behind. The hallway was quiet, but his mind was crystal clear. 551 runs on the board. The bowlers rested and fired up.
Tomorrow, they were going to unleash absolute hell on the Australians.
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The morning of Day 4 broke over London with a crisp, clear blue sky. The sunshine was beautiful, but for the Australian team walking into the dressing room, the atmosphere was as heavy as lead. They were staring down a massive 240-run deficit in the World Test Championship Final. The pitch at The Oval had held together reasonably well, but Day 4 cracks were beginning to show, and batting was only going to get harder.
The Indian team sprinted onto the field. The energy was electric. They weren't walking; they were bouncing. Virat Kohli was clapping his hands aggressively, leading the charge, while the rest of the squad fanned out with a visible, terrifying swagger. They knew they had the Australians exactly where they wanted them.
David Warner and Usman Khawaja walked down the pavilion steps. The opening pair had a mountain to climb, not just to set a target, but simply to survive the initial onslaught and wipe out the deficit.
Nasser Hussain: "Good morning from The Oval! Day 4 of the World Test Championship Final. The equation is daunting for Australia. They are 240 runs behind. They have to bat for essentially five sessions to save or win this Test match. David Warner takes guard. And to no one's surprise, it is the, Aarav Pathak, with the brand-new Dukes ball."
Before Aarav walked to his mark, he and Virat Kohli had a brief, intense discussion in the middle of the pitch.
"Don't give him an inch to breathe," Kohli commanded, his eyes burning. "He's going to come hard because he wants to break the pressure. Let's choke him."
Aarav nodded, chewing his gum with that familiar, rhythmic calmness. He pointed to the slip cordon. "I want four," Aarav said. "Four slips and a gully. Take the covers out. I want him to drive."
Kohli grinned a predatory smile. He immediately ushered Shubman Gill into the fourth slip position. A pure, unapologetic, attacking field.
Ricky Ponting: "Look at that field! Four slips and a gully! You rarely see four slips in the modern game, even with a new ball. But Kohli and Pathak are sending a message. They are telling Warner, 'We are coming for your edge, and we don't care if you drive us for four'."
Over 1: Aarav Pathak to David Warner
Aarav walked to the top of his mark. He grabbed his left arm, stretching his shoulder muscles across his chest. He took a deep breath of the crisp English air.
Ball 1: Aarav steamed in. He delivered a fast, full delivery, pitching on the fifth stump line and shaping away beautifully from the left-handed Warner. Warner, feeling the immense scoreboard pressure and wanting to dominate early, threw his hands at it. A loose, expansive drive. The ball whizzed past the outside edge with a sharp hiss, carrying comfortably through to KL Rahul behind the stumps. Dot.
Ravi Shastri: "Ooh! Flashing blade first up! Aarav puts it in the corridor, and Warner takes the bait immediately! He was nowhere near the pitch of that ball!"
Ball 2: Aarav walked back, a cold smirk playing on his lips. He ran in and bowled the exact same delivery. 148.5 kmph. Outswinger. Warner, his feet stuck in the crease, swung his bat again with even more ferocity, trying to carve it over the point region. Once again, he met nothing but thin air. Dot.
Nasser Hussain: "He's done it again! Warner is playing with fire here. He wants to feel bat on ball, but Aarav is dragging him wider and wider. The slip cordon is absolutely buzzing. You can hear Virat Kohli from the commentary box!"
Ball 3: Aarav kept the line identical. Wide outside off, swinging away. This time, Warner reigned in his instincts. He lifted his bat high and shouldered arms, letting the ball carry through to the keeper. Dot.
Ball 4: Aarav realized Warner was now expecting the ball to leave him. It was time to spring the trap. He ran in hard. 151 kmph. He pitched it on a good length, but this time, the seam was angled the other way. The ball jagged back in viciously towards the pads—a lethal inswinger. Warner was completely surprised by the inward movement. He brought his bat down in a frantic, desperate chop, jamming the ball into the pitch just before it could strike his front pad. Dot.
Ricky Ponting: "Brilliant fast bowling! He set him up with three outswingers and then fired the missile back into the pads! Warner barely got his wood down in time!"
Ball 5: Aarav bowled another inswinger, slightly fuller. Warner, now thoroughly confused about which way the ball was moving, played a very careful, soft defensive push towards mid-on. Dot.
Ball 6: Aarav walked to his mark for the final delivery. Five dot balls had been bowled.
He charged in. He put every ounce of kinetic energy into his delivery stride. 153.2 kmph. He bowled it full, fast, and aimed directly at the pads. Warner, anticipating the swing, planted his front foot across the line, looking to flick the ball through the leg side to finally get off the mark.
But the sheer, terrifying velocity of the ball defeated him. He was a fraction of a second late on the swing. The ball bypassed the inside edge of the bat, missed the pads by a millimeter, and crashed with devastating force into the base of the leg and middle stumps.
CRASH. The bails exploded into the air, and the leg stump was knocked backward.
Ravi Shastri (SCREAMING): "BOWLED HIM! ABSOLUTE TIMBER! AARAV PATHAK STRIKES IN THE VERY FIRST OVER AGAIN! He sets him up, he ties him down, and then he shatters the stumps with a 153 kmph thunderbolt! David Warner goes for a duck! What a disastrous start for Australia!"
Nasser Hussain: "You simply cannot play across the line to a bowler operating at that pace! Warner was beaten for sheer speed! Aarav Pathak brings the heat on Day 4, and the Australian dressing room looks absolutely shell-shocked! 0 for 1!"
David Warner b Aarav 0 (6)Score: Aus 0/1 (1 Over)
The Indian players swarmed Aarav, their celebrations wild and aggressive. Kohli was punching the air, screaming in delight. The perfect start had been executed.
Out walked Marnus Labuschagne, his face twitching slightly as he processed the situation. Australia was 0 for 1, trailing by 240 runs.
From the other end, Virat Kohli threw the new ball to the fiery Mohammed Siraj.
Over 2: Mohammed Siraj to Usman Khawaja & Marnus Labuschagne
Ball 1: Siraj steamed in, bowling a length ball on the pads to Usman Khawaja. Khawaja tucked it neatly behind square on the leg side and took a quick single, finally getting Australia off the mark. 1 Run.
Ball 2: Marnus Labuschagne faced his first delivery. He went through his exaggerated trigger movements, tapping the crease aggressively. Siraj hit a hard length on the fourth stump line. Marnus shouldered arms, shouting a loud, "NO RUN!" Dot.
Ball 3: Siraj pitched it slightly fuller, getting the ball to shape away from the right-hander. Marnus played inside the line, leaving it alone. Dot.
Ball 4: Siraj, mirroring Aarav's earlier tactic, angled the next delivery sharply back into the pads. Marnus was quick to react, presenting a straight bat and defending it solidly down the pitch. Dot.
Ball 5: Siraj hit the same length, angling it in again. Marnus defended with soft hands to short leg. Dot.
Ball 6: For the final ball of the over, Siraj decided to deploy his most potent weapon, the wobble seam. He ran in and released the ball with the seam pointing neither toward slip nor fine leg, but wobbling erratically in the air. It pitched on a good length just outside off-stump. Marnus, unsure which way it would move off the deck, prodded forward tentatively to defend.
The ball hit the pitch and jagged away sharply at the last second, completely beating the outside edge of Labuschagne's bat. It passed so close to the willow that KL Rahul went up in a stifled appeal behind the stumps.
Ricky Ponting: "Oh, what a delivery to finish the over! That is the magic of Mohammed Siraj's wobble seam! It pitches and darts away late, completely squaring up the number one Test batter in the world! Marnus is lucky not to have nicked that!"
End of Over 2.Score: Aus 1/1. Marnus Labuschagne: 0* (5 balls). Usman Khawaja: 1* (1 ball).
Ravi Shastri: "Two overs down, one run on the board, and a massive wicket in the bag! Aarav Pathak and Mohammed Siraj are making the red Dukes ball talk, and the Australian top order is dancing to their tune! A phenomenal start to Day 4 for Team India!"
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The first fourteen overs of the morning had been a trial by fire for the Australian batters. Aarav Pathak and Mohammed Siraj had bowled with terrifying hostility, extracting every ounce of life from the cloudy London morning and the fresh Dukes ball. David Warner had been castled for a duck in the very first over by the Vice-Captain, leaving Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne to survive an absolute barrage.
They had done well to hang on, ducking, weaving, and leaving the ball with exaggerated caution. But the physical and mental toll of facing 150 kmph for an hour was visibly exhausting them.
As the 14th over concluded with the score crawling to 49/1, Virat Kohli walked up to his two young fast bowlers. Aarav was sweating profusely, his chest heaving after a grueling seven-over spell.
"Take a breather, Aarav. You too, Miyan," Kohli said, patting their backs and taking their caps from the umpire. "You've softened them up beautifully. They are stuck in the crease."
Ravi Shastri: "A double change for India. And a much-needed rest for Aarav and Siraj. They have bowled seven overs each of sheer, unadulterated pace. They haven't let Australia breathe. 49 for 1 after 14 overs. The scoring rate is barely 3.5, but more importantly, the psychological damage has been done."
Nasser Hussain: "It's a grueling job, opening the batting in these conditions. Khawaja and Labuschagne have shown immense character to survive that opening burst. But the relief will be short-lived. Because look who has the ball now."
Virat Kohli threw the ball to the artist of the upright seam, Mohammed Shami, to replace Aarav Pathak from the Pavilion End. From the Vauxhall End, the skiddy, aggressive Umesh Yadav was warming up to replace Siraj.
Over 15: Mohammed Shami to Usman Khawaja
Shami marked his run-up. He didn't have Aarav's terrifying 155 kmph pace, but what he lacked in sheer velocity, he made up for in surgical, robotic precision.
Ball 1: Shami ran in smoothly, a rhythmic jog that exploded into a perfect delivery stride. 141 kmph. The ball landed on a good length on the fourth stump line. The seam was presented so perfectly it looked like a painted red stripe rotating in the air. Khawaja pushed at it tentatively. The ball nipped away just a fraction, beating the outside edge. Dot.
Ricky Ponting: "That is the hallmark of Mohammed Shami. First ball of a new spell, and he hits the perfect length immediately. The seam is absolutely bolt upright. That is a gorgeous delivery to a left-hander."
Ball 2: Shami went slightly fuller, angling it into the pads. Khawaja tucked it softly to square leg for a well-judged single. 1 Run.
Ball 3: Marnus Labuschagne faced his first delivery from Shami. Marnus went through his usual twitchy routine—adjusting his pads, tapping the bat, staring at the pitch. Shami hit the deck hard. The ball jagged back in sharply off the seam. Marnus, caught slightly off-balance, jammed his bat down just in time, squeezing it to point. "No run!" Marnus yelled loudly. Dot.
Ball 4-6: Shami probed the channel outside off-stump relentlessly. Marnus left two deliveries with exaggerated, sweeping leaves, and defended the last one solidly back down the pitch.
End of Over 15.Score: Aus 50/1. Runs from Over: 1.
What followed was an absolute grind. Umesh Yadav and Mohammed Shami bowled in tandem, turning the Test match into a war of attrition. Umesh used his skiddy pace to push the batters deep into their crease, while Shami relentlessly attacked the top of the off-stump.
Khawaja and Labuschagne realized that survival was the only option. They shelved the cover drives. They ignored the cut shots. They dealt entirely in nudges, blocks, and leaves.
The scoreboard barely moved. By the end of the 22nd over, Australia had crawled to 72/1. The deficit was still a massive 168 runs. The Indian fielders were chirping continuously, keeping the energy levels high, not allowing the Australian pair a moment of peace.
Mohammed Shami was in the middle of a phenomenal spell. He was into his 5th consecutive over (Over 23 of the innings). He was hitting the seam so consistently that it was mesmerizing to watch.
Marnus Labuschagne was on strike. He had batted for 38 deliveries, fighting hard for his runs. He was starting to look slightly more comfortable, leaving the ball with a bit more confidence.
Shami walked back to his mark, having a quick word with Kohli at first slip. "He's leaving on length, Virat. He trusts the bounce," Shami muttered. "Bring him forward," Kohli replied, rubbing his hands. "Make him play the drive."
Ball 1: Shami bowled a back-of-a-length delivery outside off. Marnus shouldered arms, watching it go through to KL Rahul. "Good leave, Marnus!" he shouted to himself. Dot.
Ball 2: Shami bowled the exact same delivery, maybe half an inch fuller. Marnus let it go again with a flamboyant flourish of his bat. Dot.
Ball 3: Shami pushed it wider. A genuine half-volley outside the off-stump. Marnus, feeling the pressure of the dot balls and seeing the width, finally took the bait. He reached out to drive it through covers. But Shami had taken a little bit of pace off. 135 kmph. Marnus mistimed it completely, driving it straight to Aarav Pathak at short extra cover. Dot.
Nasser Hussain: "Shami is toying with him here. He showed him the wide one, invited the drive, but Marnus couldn't pierce the infield. Shami is setting a trap, and Marnus is walking right into it."
Ball 4: Shami walked back. He wiped the ball on his trousers. He knew exactly what he was going to do.
He ran in, hitting his normal pace of 142 kmph. He bowled it on a perfect, teasing length, starting on the fifth stump line. It looked like an outswinger, identical to the ones Marnus had been leaving so comfortably.
Marnus took a small stride forward, lifted his bat high, and decided to shoulder arms once again, expecting the ball to hold its line or shape away.
But it didn't. The ball hit the immaculate seam. And instead of going away, it jagged back in with vicious, terrifying intent. It was the legendary Shami nip-backer.
Marnus Labuschagne realized his mistake a fraction of a second too late. His bat was raised high above his head in a leave. His eyes widened in sheer horror as the ball arrowed back into his body.
He couldn't even attempt to bring the bat down. The ball zipped past his pads and crashed violently into the top of the off-stump, sending the bail cartwheeling into the air.
Ravi Shastri (Roaring in triumph): "BOWLED HIM! HE LEFT IT! HE LEFT IT, AND HIS OFF-STUMP IS KNOCKED BACK! Mohammed Shami produces an absolute jaffa! Marnus Labuschagne shoulders arms to his own demise! What a delivery! The setup, the execution, absolute perfection from the Indian veteran!"
Ricky Ponting (Groaning): "Oh, Marnus. That is a cardinal sin against a bowler of Shami's class. You cannot leave a ball on length when the seam is presented like that. It jagged back miles! He misjudged the line completely. That is a monumental wicket for India!"
The Indian team exploded. Kohli sprinted from slip, jumping onto Shami's back. Aarav ran in from cover, high-fiving the veteran pacer. Marnus stood frozen at the crease for two full seconds, staring blankly at his uprooted off-stump, before dragging himself off the field in absolute disbelief.
Marnus Labuschagne b Shami 14 (42)Score: Australia 72/2 (22.4 Overs)
Ball 5 & 6: Out walked the modern-day great, Steve Smith. He survived the last two balls of the over, looking wary of Shami's seam movement.
End of Over 23.Score: Aus 72/2.
With Steve Smith and Usman Khawaja at the crease, the two most technically sound batters in the Australian lineup, the crowd expected Virat Kohli to tighten the noose. Everyone anticipated the introduction of spin. The overcast conditions were slightly clearing up, and the pitch had some dryness to it.
Ravindra Jadeja began loosening his shoulders at the boundary edge.
But Virat Kohli, standing mid-pitch with his Vice-Captain, decided to deploy the weapon that had worked so effectively in the first innings. Aarav Pathak was smiling, nodding his head at Kohli's suggestion.
Kohli turned to the umpire, took the ball from him. He threw the ball to the opening batsman, Shubman Gill.
The crowd at The Oval let out a buzzing murmur of anticipation. They remembered the first innings well.
Ravi Shastri: "Well, look at this! Virat Kohli goes back to the part-timer! He has tossed the ball to Shubman Gill! We all expected Ravindra Jadeja to come on, but Kohli bypasses his premier spinner to bring Gill into the attack!"
Nasser Hussain: "It's a fascinating tactical move. Yes, Gill bowled a brilliant, restrictive spell in the first innings, but bringing him on right now against a fresh Steve Smith? That is a massive show of faith from Kohli and Aarav. They are clearly trying to disrupt Smith's rhythm before he even gets going."
Ricky Ponting: "It worked before, Nass. Aarav Pathak and Yuvraj Singh spent the entire IPL season turning Gill into a genuine all-round option for the Gujarat Titans and Indian Team, and now India is reaping the rewards. He drops the ball beautifully. Let's see if he can tie Smith down again."
Gill took off his cap, handing it to the umpire with a confident smile. He knew his role perfectly by now.
At the other end, Virat Kohli made another change. He gave Umesh Yadav a rest and brought in the man with the golden arm, Shardul Thakur.
Over 24: Shubman Gill to Steve Smith
Gill marked his short run-up. He set a relatively orthodox field—a slip, a point, and a short mid-wicket.
Ball 1: Gill tossed it up nicely, drifting it into the right-hander. Steve Smith, looking utterly confused by the bowling change, lunged forward and defended it carefully back down the pitch. Dot.
Ball 2: Gill went slightly flatter. Smith went back in his crease and worked it softly to square leg for a single. 1 Run.
Ball 3: Usman Khawaja on strike. Gill bowled it slightly quicker, pushing it across the left-hander. It skidded on straight. Khawaja, surprised by the pace, chopped it awkwardly to cover. Dot.
Ball 4-6: Gill finished the over brilliantly, giving away just two more singles. He found a hint of grip off the surface, putting genuine overspin on the ball.
End of Over 24.Score: Aus 75/2. Runs from Over: 3.
Nasser Hussain: "Well, that wasn't bad at all! Three runs off the over. Shubman Gill actually got some drift and loop there. Steve Smith looked entirely unsure of how to approach it. Was it a lack of respect to attack a part-timer, or the fear of getting out to an opening batsman?"
Ravi Shastri: "It's a psychological masterstroke from Kohli and Aarav! They know Smith thrives on the rhythm of facing frontline bowlers. By bringing on Gill, they have completely disrupted his tempo. The Australian dressing room must be scratching their heads!"
As Gill walked back to his fielding position, Aarav high-fived him. "Beautiful drift, Gilly," Aarav grinned. "Keep him guessing."
With Shardul Thakur warming up to bowl from the other end, the Indian team had successfully injected pure, chaotic unpredictability into the morning session. Australia was 75/2, trailing by 165, and the game of 4D chess was in full swing.
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The morning session of Day 4 had been a psychological meat grinder. Aarav Pathak had drawn first blood by castling David Warner with a 153 kmph thunderbolt in the very first over, and Mohammed Shami had followed it up with an absolute peach to remove Marnus Labuschagne.
At 75/2, Australia walked out after the Lunch break hoping to build a fortress. Steve Smith and Usman Khawaja were at the crease. The mandate for them was simple: bat out the day, erase the 240-run deficit, and drag the World Test Championship Final into a gritty Day 5.
But Virat Kohli, the relentless general, had a different timeline in mind. He didn't want a Day 5. He wanted the Mace today.
As the afternoon sun cast long shadows over the historic Kennington Oval, the pitch began to show signs of wear. The heavy roller had flattened the track, but the footmarks created by the fast bowlers—specifically the massive craters left by Mitchell Starc and Aarav Pathak—were beginning to dry and crack.
Kohli tossed the ball to his premier all-rounder. Ravindra Jadeja.
Nasser Hussain (On Air): "Here is an interesting move from Virat Kohli. The sun is out, the pitch is predominantly pace-friendly, and it's an English Day 4. You would expect him to rotate Shami, Siraj, and Aarav. But he throws the ball to Ravindra Jadeja. Steve Smith is on strike. This is a tactical gamble."
Ravi Shastri: "It's not a gamble, Nasser; it's a calculated strike! Jadeja bowls at 95 kilometers per hour. He hits the same spot on the pitch eighty times out of a hundred. He is not here to turn the ball square; he is here to suffocate them. He targets those footmarks outside the right-hander's off-stump, and he makes them play every single delivery."
Ravindra Jadeja is a bowler who feeds on rhythm. At The Oval, where spinners usually play a holding role, Jadeja decided to be the lead protagonist.
Ravindra Jadeja to Steve Smith
Smith, batting on 22, was looking characteristically fidgety. He shuffled across his stumps, treating Jadeja with caution. Jadeja bowled three flat, darting deliveries on the middle and leg stump line, forcing Smith to defend straight back.
On the fourth delivery, Jadeja changed his angle slightly, coming wider of the crease. He landed the ball perfectly in a scuffed-up footmark. The ball gripped the abrasive surface. It didn't spin massively, but it bit into the pitch and bounced a fraction higher than Smith anticipated.
Smith, trying to work it to the leg side, closed the face of the bat a microsecond too early. The ball took the leading edge and popped up softly towards silly point. Shubman Gill, stationed under the helmet, dove forward and took a brilliant, low catch.
Ravi Shastri (Booming): "GOT HIM! The bowling change works like absolute magic! Ravindra Jadeja gets the biggest fish in the pond! Steve Smith falls to the bounce and the grip! He was trying to work it away, the leading edge pops up, and Gill takes a sharp catch! Australia loses their rock! 88 for 3!"
Steve Smith c Gill b Jadeja
The fall of Steve Smith opened the floodgates. The Australian dressing room, which had been clinging to hope, felt the ground shift beneath their feet. The Indian team swarmed like sharks smelling blood in the water.
Travis Head walked out. The aggressive left-hander wanted to counter-attack his way out of trouble. He tried to sweep Jadeja in the later over. But on a Day 4 pitch with variable bounce, sweeping a bowler who bowls at 98 kmph is flirting with disaster.
Jadeja fired an arm ball that skidded straight on, kept viciously low, and sneaked under Head's sweeping blade. THWACK. Plumb in front.
Ricky Ponting: "Oh, that is absolutely plumb. Travis Head doesn't even bother looking at his partner. He knows he is a goner. You cannot sweep Jadeja when he is firing it in like that. It's too quick, and the bounce is too unpredictable. Jadeja has two, and Australia is crumbling!"
Travis Head lbw b Jadeja Score: Australia 105/4
While Jadeja spun a web of paranoia from the Pavilion End, Mohammed Shami delivered a masterclass in reverse swing from the Vauxhall End.
The ball was 45 overs old. One side had been polished to a mirror-like shine by Aarav and Virat, while the other side was completely scuffed.
Over 48: Mohammed Shami to Cameron Green The towering Cameron Green tried to stride forward and smother the swing. Shami came round the wicket. He bowled a delivery that started outside the leg stump and swung late, reversing away from the right-hander towards the off-stump.
Green, squared up completely, pushed at it with hard hands. The ball kissed the outside edge and flew to the right of the wicket-keeper. KL Rahul dived and took a stunning, one-handed catch.
Nasser Hussain: "Edged and taken! Shami finds the outside edge with a piece of reverse-swinging art! Cameron Green has no answer to that late movement! Shami picks up his second wicket of the innings, and India is tearing through the Australian middle order! 132 for 5!"
A few overs later, Shami produced an identical delivery to the Australian captain, Pat Cummins. Cummins, trying to drive through covers, was beaten by the late inward reverse swing, the ball crashing into his front pad.
Pat Cummins lbw b Shami 4 (10)Score: Australia 148/6
Dinesh Karthik: "Mohammed Shami is putting on an absolute clinic here at The Oval! He has taken 3 wickets for just 35 runs. The seam presentation is a thing of beauty, and the reverse swing is tearing the Australians apart. They are still nearly 100 runs behind India's first innings total!"
Ravindra Jadeja wasn't done. He wanted his four-fer. He continued to exploit the rough. Alex Carey, the Australian wicket-keeper, tried to play him off the back foot but was beaten by an arm ball that clipped the top of the off-stump.
Alex Carey b Jadeja Score: Australia 160/7
Jadeja then trapped the dangerous Mitchell Starc LBW with a classic left-arm spinner's dismissal—pitching on middle and turning away slightly to beat the outside edge and strike the back pad. However, Starc reviewed it, and it was shown missing off-stump. But the relief was short-lived.
At 170/7, Virat Kohli decided it was time to close the show. The sun was setting, the lights were taking full effect, and the crowd was in a state of absolute delirium.
Kohli tossed the old, scuffed ball to Aarav Pathak. "Finish them, Aarav," Kohli smiled, his eyes gleaming. "No mercy."
Aarav took the ball. He had bowled a terrifying spell in the morning, picking up Warner. Now, he wanted to finish what he started.
Aarav Pathak to Mitchell Starc
Starc, an aggressive lower-order hitter, backed away, giving himself room. Aarav didn't follow him. He didn't bowl short. He ran in, pushing the speed gun to 152.6 kmph. He aimed directly at the base of the middle stump. The ball tailed in late—a searing, toe-crushing, reverse-swinging yorker.
Cummins's bat came down, but the sheer velocity of the delivery beat him by a fraction of a second. The ball pulverized the base of the stumps, uprooting the middle stump out of the ground.
Ravi Shastri (Voice cracking): "BOWLED HIM! ABSOLUTE TIMBER! What a yorker from the Vice-Captain! 152kmph with an old, reversing ball! Mitchell Starc is completely beaten for pace! Aarav Pathak strikes again, and Australia are eight down!"
Mitchell Starc b Aarav Pathak Score: Australia 175/8
In the next over, Ravindra Jadeja got his fourth wicket, deceiving Scott Boland with a slider that trapped him right in front of the stumps. Scott Boland lbw b Jadeja 0 (4)Score: Australia 176/9
The stadium was vibrating. The Bharat Army was singing 'Vande Mataram' at the top of their lungs. India was exactly one wicket away from defending their World Test Championship title and doing it with a humiliating innings victory.
Virat Kohli handed the ball to Mohammed Siraj. The energetic fast bowler had bowled his heart out without much luck in the innings. Kohli wanted him to have the final moment of glory.
Nathan Lyon was at the crease. The score was 181/9.
Mohammed Siraj to Nathan Lyon
Siraj steamed in from the Pavilion End. The crowd clapped in rhythm with every stride he took. He bowled a full, wide delivery, angling it across the right-handed Nathan Lyon.
Lyon, perhaps wanting to get some runs or just tired of the relentless pressure, threw his hands at the ball, attempting a booming drive through the off-side. He didn't keep it down. The ball flew off the outer half of the bat, slicing through the air towards the cover region.
At short cover, Aarav Pathak was stationed perfectly. The ball was traveling fast and dipping slightly, but Aarav's anticipation was otherworldly. He took two quick, explosive steps to his right, launched himself into the air, and executed a beautiful, jumping, two-handed catch right at chest height!
As soon as the ball stuck safely in his palms, Aarav landed on his feet, let out a massive, guttural roar, and threw the red Dukes ball high into the darkening London sky!
Ravi Shastri (SCREAMING AT THE TOP OF HIS LUNGS): "IN THE AIR... AND TAKEN! AARAV PATHAK TAKES THE CATCH AT COVER! IT IS ALL OVER! INDIA WINS! INDIA DEFENDS THEIR WORLD TEST CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE! And they do it in the most dominant, emphatic fashion possible! They have absolutely crushed Australia by an innings and 59 runs at The Oval! Look at the scenes! Look at the emotion! The Kings of Test Cricket reign supreme once again!"
The moment Aarav caught the ball, the Indian team converged on the cover region like a tidal wave of blue and white.
Mohammed Siraj let out a roaring scream, falling to his knees and kissing the turf before being pulled up by Virat Kohli. Kohli's reaction was pure, unfiltered aggression. The Indian Captain sprinted from first slip, his face flushed, veins popping in his neck. He jumped onto Siraj, hugging him violently, screaming, "COME ON! YES! COME ON! COME ON! THAT IS HOW WE PLAY!"
Aarav, who had caught the ball, was immediately tackled by Md. Shami and Shubman Gill. They piled onto the Vice-Captain, laughing and yelling in absolute ecstasy.
"We did it, Aarav!" Gill shouted, hugging Aarav tightly. "Innings victory in a Final! You are a freak!"
Aarav emerged from the hug, his hair messy, his face split into a wide, triumphant grin. He found Kohli. The Captain and the Vice-Captain locked eyes, slapped their hands together, and pulled each other into a massive, bone-crushing bear hug.
"We own them, Bhaiya," Aarav whispered into Kohli's shoulder over the roar of the crowd. "We own this format." "Damn right we do, Pathak," Kohli laughed, pulling back and patting Aarav's back. "You were unbelievable. Absolute champion."
After a full two minutes of aggressive, emotional celebration, Kohli raised his hand, signaling the team to compose themselves. The battle was over; it was time for grace.
The Australian team walked out onto the field. Pat Cummins, looking utterly devastated, led his men. Aarav walked up to Cummins. They shook hands firmly. "Too good today, Aarav," Cummins said, offering a genuine, albeit tired, smile. "You and Virat... that batting display took the pitch out of the equation. Well played."
"Thanks, Pat," Aarav nodded respectfully. "You guys made us work for it. Safe travels back."
Aarav shook hands with Steve Smith, Nathan Lyon, and Mitchell Starc. The Australians, despite the bitter rivalry, acknowledged the sheer superiority of the Indian performance over the four days.
As the teams walked off the pitch and towards the dressing rooms, the Indian fans in the stadium stood up, giving them an uninterrupted standing ovation. The World Test Championship Mace was staying in India.
An hour later, the floodlights were blazing over the presentation podium set up in the center of the immaculate Oval outfield. The golden, towering WTC Mace sat on a velvet pedestal, gleaming under the lights. Confetti cannons were loaded and ready on the periphery.
The stadium was still packed. Nobody wanted to leave.
Harsha Bhogle stood at the podium, looking dapper in a suit. Next to him stood a very special guest presenter—the recently retired English fast-bowling legend, Stuart Broad.
Harsha Bhogle: "Ladies and gentlemen, what a spectacular conclusion to a two-year cycle of gruelling, beautiful Test cricket! India proves, yet again, why they are the absolute pinnacle of this format. To win a final against a side like Australia is an achievement; to win it by an innings and 59 runs is a statement of historical dominance!"
The crowd roared in agreement.
Harsha Bhogle: "First, let us hear from the captain of the Australian team. It has been a tough four days, but they have been magnificent throughout this cycle. Please welcome, Pat Cummins."
Pat Cummins walked up to the microphone, receiving polite and respectful applause from the crowd.
Harsha: "Pat, a bitter pill to swallow. You came in with high hopes, but you ran into a juggernaut. Where do you think the game slipped away?"
Pat Cummins (Sighing, but composed): "Yeah, it's incredibly disappointing, Harsha. We pride ourselves on competing in all conditions, but we were completely outplayed from Day 2. You have to take your hat off to them. I mean, we are all just in awe of that Indian team right now. To put up 551 runs on a Day 1 and Day 2 pitch here at The Oval... that requires exceptional batting."
Cummins paused, looking towards the Indian dugout.
"We bowled well in patches, but Aarav Pathak and Virat Kohli completely took the game away from us. Aarav scoring 158 at the pace he did, and Virat scoring 151 not out... it was a masterclass. They didn't give us a sniff. And then, we thought the pitch was pace-friendly, but Ravindra Jadeja came out today and bowled absolutely stellar, probing spin. He adapted perfectly, picking up four wickets when we were trying to rebuild. They are a complete side, and they thoroughly deserve to be the Champions."
Harsha: "Gracious in defeat, as always. Thank you, Pat, and congratulations on a fantastic two-year cycle."
Harsha Bhogle: "Now, for the Player of the Match award. In a game filled with stellar performances, this young man stood head and shoulders above the rest. He came into this match, played only one innings with the bat, scoring a breathtaking 158 runs. Then, he took the ball and dismantled the Australian top order twice, picking up 4 wickets in the first innings and 2 crucial wickets in the second, finishing with a match haul of 6 wickets.
Ladies and Gentlemen, he is the undisputed King of Finals... Aarav Pathak!"
The roar that erupted from The Oval was deafening. The crowd chanted his name as Aarav walked up to the podium. He shook hands with Stuart Broad and accepted the medal and the trophy.
Harsha: "Aarav, 158 runs, 6 wickets. An innings victory. Does it get any better than this?"
Aarav (Smiling, incredibly calm): "It really doesn't, Harsha. To defend this title, against a team like Australia, in these conditions... it's a dream come true for the entire squad. We have worked incredibly hard for the last two years for this exact moment."
Stuart Broad (Stepping in, grinning): "Aarav, I have to ask you, mate. As a fast bowler, I know how hard it is to bowl 30 overs in a Test match. How on earth do you bowl 150 kmph, take 6 wickets, and also bat for five hours to score 158? Are you secretly a machine?"
Aarav laughed, rubbing the back of his neck. "I don't know about a machine, Stuart. It's just adrenaline. When you are batting with Virat bhai, he makes it easy. He takes the pressure off. And when I have the ball, seeing the slips packed and knowing the whole country is watching... you just find that extra yard of pace. It's pure passion for the badge."
Harsha: "You got crucial breakthroughs in both innings. Is there a secret to your success in Finals?"
Aarav: "No secret, Harsha. I just love the pressure. When the stakes are highest, you have to keep things simple. Hit the top of off-stump, swing the new ball, and don't complicate the batting. I'm just grateful I could execute the plans Rahul sir and Virat bhai laid out for us."
Harsha: "A phenomenal performance, Aarav. Congratulations, enjoy the celebrations."
Harsha Bhogle: "And finally, I invite the man who has engineered this era of absolute dominance. The captain who led India to the inaugural WTC title, and has now successfully defended it. The Captain of India, Virat Kohli!"
Kohli walked up to the podium, his face radiating an intense, fiery joy. He shook hands with Harsha and Stuart Broad.
Harsha: "Virat, back-to-back World Test Championships! You demanded an innings victory, and your boys delivered. How proud are you of this unit?"
Virat Kohli (Voice thick with emotion): "I am out of words, Harsha. The character, the resilience, the absolute hunger this team has shown... it is unparalleled. To score 551 runs in the first innings was a monumental effort. Aarav was just unbelievable. And then the bowlers... Shami, Siraj, Jadeja today with those 4 wickets... everyone put their hand up. This is not just a team; this is a family. We wanted to make a statement today, and we did."
Stuart Broad: "Virat, it is my absolute honor, as a former opponent and a fan of Test cricket, to present this to you."
Broad stepped back and lifted the magnificent, gold-and-silver ICC World Test Championship Mace off its pedestal. He handed it ceremoniously to Virat Kohli.
Kohli took the heavy, glittering Mace in both hands. The crowd screamed. He didn't immediately run to the team.
He stood at the podium, closed his eyes, and gently pressed his lips against the cold metal of the Mace. He held it close to his chest for a quiet, intimate solo photo, savoring the magnitude of becoming a two-time World Champion captain. The cameras flashed furiously, capturing a portrait that would adorn the walls of Indian cricket history forever.
Then, Kohli opened his eyes. The fierce competitor returned. He turned away from the podium and looked at his team, waiting behind the 'CHAMPIONS' board on the outfield.
He didn't walk to the center of the group to lift it himself. He walked directly towards Aarav Pathak.
"You won us this game, Aarav," Kohli shouted over the noise, shoving the massive golden Mace directly into Aarav's chest. "You take the center. You lift it!"
Aarav looked surprised for a second, but Kohli patted his back hard, pushing him to the absolute dead center of the team huddle.
Aarav grabbed the base of the Mace. He looked to his left—Shami and Siraj were grinning. He looked to his right—Rohit, Jadeja, and KLR were waiting.
"ON THREE!" Aarav yelled, his voice echoing. "ONE! TWO! THREE!"
Aarav thrust the heavy golden Mace high, high into the London night sky!
"YEEEEAAAAAHHHHH!"
The entire team erupted into a deafening roar. The golden confetti cannons fired simultaneously from all sides, raining a glittering monsoon over the Indian team. Champagne corks popped, spraying a shower of bubbly over Kohli, Aarav, and the coaching staff.
Aarav stood in the center of the storm, laughing as Team Players jumped onto his back, still holding the Mace aloft. The flashing lights, the confetti, the sheer, unadulterated joy of the team... it was the perfect picture.
The Vice-Captain had driven the chariot, the King had commanded the army, and together, they had ensured that the throne of World Test Cricket remained safely, indisputably, in India.
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