India Vs Australia, WTC Final 2023, Day 1: Travis Head, Steve Smith Derail India On Opening Day - In Pics

Travis Head's counter-attacking century left an out-of-sorts Indian attack bereft of ideas as Australia made hay under bright sunshine by reaching 327 for 3 on the opening day of the World Test Championship final. The ploy of leaving out Ravichandran Ashwin backfired once again for the Indian management as Umesh Yadav and Shardul Thakur looked under-cooked as Rohit Sharma's men were completely outplayed in the second and third session with Rohit Sharma's captaincy leaving a lot to be desired. India picked an extra fast bowler at the expense of Ravichandran Ashwin but that did not help their cause as Head (146 batting) and Smith (95 batting) amassed an unbeaten 251 run partnership off 370 balls for the fourth wicket, lifting Australia from a uncomfortable 73 for three.

Updated: 08 Jun 2023 9:46 am

WTC Final 2023, Day 1: India Vs Australia | Photo: AP/Kirsty Wigglesworth

Australia's Travis Head rises the Australia badge on his helmet as he celebrates getting 100 runs not out on the first day of the ICC World Test Championship Final between India and Australia at The Oval cricket ground in London.

WTC Final 2023, Day 1: India Vs Australia | Photo: AP/PTI

Australia's Travis Head celebrates after getting 100 runs not out on the first day of the ICC World Test Championship Final between India and Australia at The Oval cricket ground in London.

Australia's Travis Head, left is congratulated by teammate Australia's Steven Smith on getting 100 runs not out on the first day of the ICC World Test Championship Final between India and Australia at The Oval cricket ground in London.

Australia's Steven Smith celebrates getting 50 runs not out on the first day of the ICC World Test Championship Final between India and Australia at The Oval cricket ground in London.

Australia's Travis Head looks up after playing his shot on the first day of the ICC World Test Championship Final between India and Australia at The Oval cricket ground in London.

Australia's Steven Smith plays a shot on the first day of the ICC World Test Championship Final between India and Australia at The Oval cricket ground in London.

India's Shardul Thakur appeals on the first day of the ICC World Test Championship Final between India and Australia at The Oval cricket ground in London.

India's Mohammed Siraj bowls on the first day of the ICC World Test Championship Final between India and Australia at The Oval cricket ground in London.

Australia's Marnus Labuschagne walks off the pitch after being bowled out by India's Mohammed Shami on the first day of the ICC World Test Championship Final between India and Australia at The Oval cricket ground in London.

India's Mohammed Shami bowls to Australia's David Warner on the first day of the ICC World Test Championship Final between India and Australia at The Oval cricket ground in London.

Australia's David Warner reacts as he walks off the pitch after being given out caught behind off the bowling of India's Shardul Thakur on the first day of the ICC World Test Championship Final between India and Australia at The Oval cricket ground in London.

India's Mohammed Siraj, centre, celebrates teammates after taking the wicket of Australia's Usman Khawaja, caught behind by India's Srikar Bharat, on the first day of the ICC World Test Championship Final between India and Australia at The Oval cricket ground in London.