India vs Australia, WTC Final 2023, Day 3: Australia Still On Top Despite Ajinkya Rahane, Shardul Thakur's Fightback - In Pics

India's Ajinkya Rahane revived his international career with a courageous effort in testing conditions but it could not prevent Australia from extending their supremacy in the World Test Championship final at The Oval in London on Friday. Playing his first Test in 18 months and with his side's back against the wall, Rahane weathered a hostile spell from Australian pacers on way to a memorable 89 off 129 balls on the third day and took India to 296 all out from 152 for six. His 109-run partnership for the sixth wicket with Shardul Thakur (51 off 109) kept India in the game but Australia still managed to take a massive 173-run lead. At stumps, Australia extended their lead to 296 runs by reaching 123 for four in 44 overs in their second innings. Marnus Labuschagne (41 batting) and Cameron Green (7 batting) were in the middle.

Updated: 10 Jun 2023 7:36 am

WTC Final 2023, Day 3: India vs Australia | Photo: AP/Kirsty Wigglesworth

Australia's Marnus Labuschagne, left, and Australia's Cameron Green walk off the pitch after the end of play on the third day of the ICC World Test Championship Final between India and Australia at The Oval cricket ground in London.

India's Ravindra Jadeja, second right, celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of Australia's Travis Head caught and bowled on the third day of the ICC World Test Championship Final between India and Australia at The Oval cricket ground in London.

Australia's Travis Head walks off the pitch after being given out caught and bowled by India's Ravindra Jadeja on the third day of the ICC World Test Championship Final between India and Australia at The Oval cricket ground in London.

India's Shardul Thakur celebrates after taking a catch to dismiss Australia's Steven Smith off the bowling of India's Ravindra Jadeja on the third day of the ICC World Test Championship Final between India and Australia at The Oval cricket ground in London.

India's Umesh Yadav celebrates after taking the wicket of Australia's Usman Khawaja on the third day of the ICC World Test Championship Final between India and Australia at The Oval cricket ground in London.

Australia's David Warner walks off the pitch after being given out on the third day of the ICC World Test Championship Final between India and Australia at The Oval cricket ground in London.

India's Mohammed Siraj appeals for lbw on Australia's Marnus Labuschagne but it was given not out on the third day of the ICC World Test Championship Final between India and Australia at The Oval cricket ground in London.

India's Shardul Thakur walks off the pitch after being given out caught by Australia's Alex Carey off the bowling of Australia's Cameron Green on the third day of the ICC World Test Championship Final between India and Australia at The Oval cricket ground in London.

India's Ajinkya Rahane walks off the pitch after being give out caught by Australia's Cameron Green off the bowling of Australia's Pat Cummins on the third day of the ICC World Test Championship Final between India and Australia at The Oval cricket ground in London.

India's Ajinkya Rahane, right, reacts to India's Shardul Thakur after scoring 50 runs on the third day of the ICC World Test Championship Final between India and Australia at The Oval cricket ground in London.

India's Shardul Thakur plays a shot during the third day of the ICC World Test Championship Final between India and Australia at The Oval cricket ground in London.

Australia's Scott Boland bowls during the third day of the ICC World Test Championship Final between India and Australia at The Oval cricket ground in London.