Australia is on track to win the world Test championship, but if they want to prevail at The Oval, they will need to defeat India’s Virat Kohli.

India reached 164-3 at the end of day four, needing a world record 444 runs to win, with Kohli still going strong at 44 not out and Ajinkya Rahane undefeated at 20.

Prior to this, India had slumped to 91-3 after Cameron Green was disputed as having caught Shubman Gill, and a stand of 51 runs between Rohit Sharma and Cheteshwar Pujara ended with both players losing for the addition of one run.

Australia needed seven more wickets and an additional 280 runs from India to win on a beautiful evening with the nation’s fervent fans cheering for every point added to the scoreboard.

After noon, Australia had previously called time on their second innings at 270-8, with wicketkeeper Alex Carey still standing at 66.

In case of inclement weather, a make-up day is set for Monday, but Sunday’s prediction indicates that there will be enough time to crown the second global Test champions, following New Zealand two years ago.

Australia and India will split the victory if no time is wasted and the match is tied on the fifth day.

The events of day four at The Oval
Can Australia be denied by King Kohli?
Australia has a history of losing in dramatic run chases, both here and when playing India.

They were astounded by Ben Stokes’ heroics at Headingley four years prior, and in Brisbane in 2021, Rishabh Pant propelled India to a historic chase that sealed a series victory.

Since Australia dominated the majority of the first two days, India are still significant underdogs, but it is to their credit that they have kept the match alive going into the final day.

The Rohit-Pujara stand ignited the India fan base, which makes up a large portion of The Oval, but belief was quickly dashed by Nathan Lyon and Pat Cummins’ blows.

Hope exists as long as there is Kohli, and the former captain has the chance to write a new chapter in his illustrious career by leading India to their first world championship in any format since 2011.

The Ashes series will start on Friday with Australia as the defending world Test champions since this job is undoubtedly beyond the capabilities of even the monarch of Indian cricket.

Important blows are delivered by Lyon and Cummins
From an Australian perspective, one of the evening’s most alarming aspects was how a previously wicked pitch seemed to have fallen asleep. After just six overs, they successfully argued to have the ball replaced because little was happening.

When Gill prodded Scott Boland, Green raced in to collect the contentious catch after Rohit and Gill had combined 41 runs in only seven overs.

Pujara played with high-elbowed style, while Rohit persisted in pulling with authority in the face of opposition.

However, Rohit missed a sweep in off-spinner Lyon’s opening over, and a review could not overturn the on-field lbw ruling. Pujara attempted an uppercut on Cummins on the following over and feathered Carey.

When Rahane arrived, Kohli had just faced one ball. Rahane did not field after taking many blows to the hand while reaching 89 runs in the first innings.

With Rahane providing support, Kohli gradually transitioned into his signature mid-wicket cuts, and at the end of their partnership, their total run score was 71.

Discussion of the Green grab
Green is known for making incredible gully catches; on Friday, he made a blinder. However, the debate surrounding this most recent capture was the day’s most talked-about topic.

Green swiftly reached his left hand downward to collect the ball off the ground. Gill refused to budge, therefore replays were requested to be reviewed by TV umpire Richard Kettleborough.

The boos from India’s supporters erupted into a chant of “cheat, cheat, cheat” after Kettleborough determined that Green had fingers under the ball. Gill hauled himself away as Rohit smashed his pad with his bat.

Afterward, Green commented to Test Match Special, “I know it looks a bit weird, but I knew straight away I caught it.” In the meantime, Gill tweeted a close-up of the grab along with a face-palm emoji.

Green has been a part of a number of notable moments on Saturday before this one. When Ravindra Jadeja, a left-arm spinner, bowled him earlier, he attempted to kick the ball away, but it instead deflected off his gloves and onto the stumps.

That was a portion of Australia’s morning session progress, which was rather slow. Before lunch, they increased their score from 123-4 to 78, with Marnus Labuschagne advancing to first slip for 41.

After lunch, Carey continued to play well, adding 93 runs in 20 overs with Starc, who hit 41. Starc edged to first slip and Cummins sliced to point, both off Mohammed Shami, when India received the second new ball, and Australia declared.

Australian all-rounder Cameron Green said to Test Match Special, “It was hard work.” Naturally, we are in a strong position and have a significant lead in runs. The ball has simply gotten older and softer; I’m not sure if the pitch has [flattened out]. It was difficult work; after one or two wickets, we probably believed the game was over.

“We have always known Virat Kohli, and Ajinkya Rahane played excellent first-inning batting,” We intend to persevere and seize it tomorrow morning.

Jonathan Agnew, a cricket expert for the BBC, stated that “I still think Australia are in the ascendancy, and this partnership for India is so crucial to give themselves a chance to think about winning.”