V Kohli’s aggregate runs against Australia read 2042 at the end of this test. He completed 2000 runs against Australia in this test. SPD Smith’s run aggregate against India read 2042 at the end of this test. He also completed 2000 runs against India in this test.

Its an amazing coincidence that two rival batsmen ended with an identical number of runs against each other at the end of a test. Perhaps, the only occasion in the annals of test cricket. Both the batsmen completing 2000 plus runs against each other in the same test.

Australia won the WTC Final for the first time, while india lost for the second time. India lost their two finals to the teams from Australasia.

Australia won this test by 209 runs margin providing the 64th occasion of Australia winning a test by 200 plus runs margin. The following table lists the Australia’s winning tests by 200 plus runs margin in the descending order of runs.

No	Team	Res	Margin	Opposition	Ground	Start Date
1	Australia	won	562 runs	v England	The Oval	18 Aug 1934
2	Australia	won	530 runs	v South Africa	Melbourne	17 Feb 1911
3	Australia	won	491 runs	v Pakistan	Perth	16 Dec 2004
4	Australia	won	419 runs	v West Indies	Adelaide	08 Dec 2022
5	Australia	won	409 runs	v England	Lord’s	24 Jun 1948
6	Australia	won	405 runs	v England	Lord’s	16 Jul 2015
7	Australia	won	384 runs	v England	Brisbane	07 Nov 2002
8	Australia	won	382 runs	v West Indies	Sydney	14 Feb 1969
9	Australia	won	382 runs	v England	Adelaide	11 Jan 1895
10	Australia	won	381 runs	v England	Brisbane	21 Nov 2013
11	Australia	won	379 runs	v West Indies	Brisbane	03 Nov 2005
12	Australia	won	377 runs	v England	Sydney	17 Dec 1920
13	Australia	won	366 runs	v Sri Lanka	Canberra	01 Feb 2019
14	Australia	won	365 runs	v England	Melbourne	01 Jan 1937
15	Australia	won	352 runs	v West Indies	Melbourne	26 Dec 2000
16	Australia	won	348 runs	v Pakistan	Melbourne	01 Jan 1977
17	Australia	won	342 runs	v India	Nagpur	26 Oct 2004
18	Australia	won	337 runs	v India	Melbourne	26 Dec 2007
19	Australia	won	333 runs	v India	Pune	23 Feb 2017
20	Australia	won	329 runs	v England	Perth	03 Feb 1995
21	Australia	won	312 runs	v West Indies	Port of Spain	05 Mar 1999
22	Australia	won	308 runs	v England	Melbourne	07 Feb 1908
23	Australia	won	307 runs	v England	Sydney	27 Feb 1925
24	Australia	won	300 runs	v India	Perth	01 Feb 1992
25	Australia	won	298 runs	v India	Adelaide	24 Jan 2012
26	Australia	won	297 runs	v New Zealand	Auckland	22 Mar 1974
27	Australia	won	296 runs	v New Zealand	Perth	12 Dec 2019
28	Australia	won	295 runs	v England	Melbourne	24 Dec 1994
29	Australia	won	286 runs	v Pakistan	Perth	13 Nov 1981
30	Australia	won	285 runs	v India	Adelaide	10 Dec 1999
31	Australia	won	281 runs	v England	Sydney	03 Jan 2014
32	Australia	won	281 runs	v South Africa	Centurion	12 Feb 2014
33	Australia	won	279 runs	v New Zealand	Sydney	03 Jan 2020
34	Australia	won	277 runs	v England	Brisbane	23 Nov 2006
35	Australia	won	277 runs	v West Indies	Kingston	11 Jun 2015
36	Australia	won	275 runs	v England	Adelaide	16 Dec 2021
37	Australia	won	274 runs	v England	Adelaide	02 Feb 1951
38	Australia	won	268 runs	v England	Manchester	03 Jul 1997
39	Australia	won	267 runs	v England	Perth	16 Dec 2010
40	Australia	won	264 runs	v England	Nottingham	07 Aug 1997
41	Australia	won	251 runs	v England	Birmingham	01 Aug 2019
42	Australia	won	247 runs	v New Zealand	Melbourne	26 Dec 2019
43	Australia	won	246 runs	v South Africa	Adelaide	14 Dec 2001
44	Australia	won	245 runs	v South Africa	Cape Town	01 Mar 2014
45	Australia	won	245 runs	v England	Adelaide	10 Jan 1908
46	Australia	won	239 runs	v England	Lord’s	21 Jul 2005
47	Australia	won	238 runs	v England	Nottingham	08 Jun 1934
48	Australia	won	233 runs	v India	Melbourne	01 Jan 1948
49	Australia	won	231 runs	v Pakistan	Hobart	14 Jan 2010
50	Australia	won	229 runs	v England	Melbourne	01 Jan 1902
51	Australia	won	220 runs	v Pakistan	Sydney	03 Jan 2017
52	Australia	won	219 runs	v England	Leeds	02 Jul 1921
53	Australia	won	218 runs	v England	Adelaide	05 Dec 2013
54	Australia	won	218 runs	v England	Melbourne	05 Mar 1904
55	Australia	won	217 runs	v India	Bengaluru	06 Oct 2004
56	Australia	won	216 runs	v England	Adelaide	15 Jan 1904
57	Australia	won	213 runs	v New Zealand	Adelaide	26 Nov 2004
58	Australia	won	210 runs	v ICC World XI	Sydney	14 Oct 2005
59	Australia	won	210 runs	v England	Leeds	08 Jun 1989
60	Australia	won	209 runs	v India	The Oval	07 Jun 2023
61	Australia	won	208 runs	v New Zealand	Brisbane	05 Nov 2015
62	Australia	won	206 runs	v England	Perth	14 Dec 2006
63	Australia	won	205 runs	v England	Adelaide	11 Dec 1998
64	Australia	won	202 runs	v West Indies	Sydney	25 Jan 1952

Australia won this test by 209 runs margin providing the ninth occasion of Australia winning a test by 200 plus runs margin against India. The following table lists the Australia’s winning tests by 200 plus runs margin against India in the descending order of runs.

No	Team	Res	Margin	Opposition	Ground	Start Date
1	Australia	won	342 runs	v India	Nagpur	26 Oct 2004
2	Australia	won	337 runs	v India	Melbourne	26 Dec 2007
3	Australia	won	333 runs	v India	Pune	23 Feb 2017
4	Australia	won	300 runs	v India	Perth	01 Feb 1992
5	Australia	won	298 runs	v India	Adelaide	24 Jan 2012
6	Australia	won	285 runs	v India	Adelaide	10 Dec 1999
7	Australia	won	233 runs	v India	Melbourne	01 Jan 1948
8	Australia	won	217 runs	v India	Bengaluru	06 Oct 2004
9	Australia	won	209 runs	v India	The Oval	07 Jun 2023

Australia won this test by 209 runs margin providing the second occasion of Australia winning a test by 200 plus runs margin in test at The Oval. The following table lists the Australia’s winning tests by 200 plus runs margin in a test at The Oval in the descending order of runs.

No	Team	Res	Margin	Opposition	Ground	Start Date
1	Australia	won	562 runs	v England	The Oval	18 Aug 1934
2	Australia	won	209 runs	v India	The Oval	07 Jun 2023

Australia won this test by 209 runs margin providing the sixth occasion of a team winning a test by 200 plus runs margin in test played at the neutral venur. The following table lists the winning tests by 200 plus runs margin in a test at the neutral venue in the descending order of runs.

No	Team	Resu	Margin	Opposition	Ground	Start Date
1	Pakistan	won	373 runs	v Australia	Abu Dhabi	16 Oct 2018
2	Pakistan	won	356 runs	v Australia	Abu Dhabi	30 Oct 2014
3	Pakistan	won	248 runs	v New Zealand	Abu Dhabi	9 Nov 2014
4	Pakistan	won	244 runs	v West Indies	Sharjah	07 Feb 2002
5	Pakistan	won	221 runs	v Australia	Dub-DSC	22 Oct 2014
6	Australia	won	209 runs	v India	The Oval	07 Jun 2023

It is interesting to note of these six test wins, five tests were won by Pakistan by 200 plus runs margin. Thus Australia became the first team other than Pakistan to win a test by 200 plus margin in a test played at the neutral venue

India lost this test by 209 runs margin providing the 26th occasion of India a test by 200 plus runs margin in test against various oppositions. The following table lists India’s losing tests by 200 plus runs margin in the descending order of runs.

No	Team	Res	Margin	Opposition	Ground	Start Date
1	India	lost	342 runs	v Australia	Nagpur	26 Oct 2004
2	India	lost	341 runs	v Pakistan	Karachi	29 Jan 2006
3	India	lost	337 runs	v Australia	Melbourne	26 Dec 2007
4	India	lost	333 runs	v Australia	Pune	23 Feb 2017
5	India	lost	329 runs	v South Africa	Eden Gardens	27 Nov 1996
6	India	lost	328 runs	v South Africa	Durban	26 Dec 1996
7	India	lost	319 runs	v England	Nottingham	29 Jul 2011
8	India	lost	300 runs	v Australia	Perth	01 Feb 1992
9	India	lost	298 runs	v Australia	Adelaide	24 Jan 2012
10	India	lost	295 runs	v West Indies	Chennai	21 Jan 1959
11	India	lost	285 runs	v Australia	Adelaide	10 Dec 1999
12	India	lost	282 runs	v South Africa	Cape Town	2 Jan 1997
13	India	lost	267 runs	v West Indies	Bengaluru	22 Nov 1974
14	India	lost	266 runs	v England	Southampton	27 Jul 2014
15	India	lost	247 runs	v England	Lord’s	26 Jul 1990
16	India	lost	243 runs	v West Indies	Mohali	10 Dec 1994
17	India	lost	233 runs	v Australia	Melbourne	01 Jan 1948
18	India	lost	227 runs	v England	Chennai	05 Feb 2021
19	India	lost	217 runs	v West Indies	Port of Spain	15 Apr 1989
20	India	lost	217 runs	v Australia	Bengaluru	06 Oct 2004
21	India	lost	212 runs	v England	Wankhede	18 Mar 2006
22	India	lost	209 runs	v Australia	The Oval	07 Jun 2023
23	India	lost	203 runs	v West Indies	Kanpur	12 Dec 1958
24	India	lost	202 runs	v England	Chennai	10 Feb 1934
25	India	lost	201 runs	v West Indies	Wankhede	23 Jan 1975
26	India	lost	200 runs	v England	Chennai	14 Jan 1977

India lost this test by 209 runs margin providing the ninth occasion of India a test by 200 plus runs margin in test against Australia. The following table lists India’s losing tests by 200 plus runs margin in a test against Australia in the descending order of runs.

No	Team	Res	Margin	Opposition	Ground	Start Date
1	India	lost	342 runs	v Australia	Nagpur	26 Oct 2004
2	India	lost	337 runs	v Australia	Melbourne	26 Dec 2007
3	India	lost	333 runs	v Australia	Pune	23 Feb 2017
4	India	lost	300 runs	v Australia	Perth	01 Feb 1992
5	India	lost	298 runs	v Australia	Adelaide	24 Jan 2012
6	India	lost	285 runs	v Australia	Adelaide	10 Dec 1999
7	India	lost	233 runs	v Australia	Melbourne	01 Jan 1948
8	India	lost	217 runs	v Australia	Bengaluru	06 Oct 2004
9	India	lost	209 runs	v Australia	The Oval	07 Jun 2023

NM Lyon’s aggregate of wickets against India read 121 at the end of this test. He became the sixth Australian bowler to capture 120 plus wickets against an opposition. The following table lists these six bowlers.

No	Player	Span	M	I	Runs	W	BBI	BBM	Ave	5	10	Opposition
1	SK Warne	1993-2007	36	72	4535	195	8/71	12/246	23.25	11	4	England
2	DK Lillee	1971-1982	29	57	3507	167	7/89	11/138	21.00	11	4	England
3	GD McGrath	1994-2007	30	60	3286	157	8/38	09/082	20.92	10	0	England
4	H Trumble	1890-1904	31	55	2945	141	8/65	12/089	20.88	09	3	England
5	SK Warne	1993-2006	24	45	3142	130	7/56	12/128	24.16	07	2	South Africa
6	NM Lyon	2011-2023	27	49	3819	121	8/50	12/286	31.56	09	2	India

AM Rahane became the seventh Indian fieldsman other than the wicket keepers to pouch 100 catches, when he caught PJ Cummins of Mohd Siraj for 09 in Australia’s first innings. The following table lists all the Indian fieldsmen.

No	Player	Span	Mat	Inns	Ct
1	R Dravid	1996-2012	163	299	209
2	VVS Laxman	1996-2012	134	248	135
3	SR Tendulkar	1989-2013	200	366	115
4	V Kohli	2011-2023	109	209	109
5	SM Gavaskar	1971-1987	125	216	108
6	M Azharuddin	1984-2000	99	177	105
7	AM Rahane	2013-2023	83	159	100

AM Rahane became the sixth Indian fieldsman other than the wicket keepers to pouch 20 plus catches against Australia, when he caught PJ Cummins of Mohd Siraj for 09 in Australia’s first innings. The following table lists all the Indian fieldsmen.

No	Player	Span	Mat	Inns	Ct
1	R Dravid	1996-2012	32	60	46
2	VVS Laxman	1998-2012	29	54	36
3	V Kohli	2011-2023	25	48	25
4	SR Tendulkar	1991-2013	39	74	23
5	V Sehwag	2003-2013	22	41	22
6	AM Rahane	2013-2023	18	36	20

AM Rahane completed 5000 runs of his test career when he was on 69 during the course of his knock of 89 in this test. At the end of India’s first innings, his aggregate read 5020. He became the thirteenth Indian batsman to score 5000 plus test runs. The following table lists all of them.

No	Player	Span	Mat	Inns	NO	Runs	HS	Ave	100	50	0
1	SR Tendulkar	1989-2013	200	329	33	15921	248*	53.78	51	68	14
2	R Dravid	1996-2012	163	284	32	13265	270	52.63	36	63	07
3	SM Gavaskar	1971-1987	125	214	16	10122	236*	51.12	34	45	12
4	VVS Laxman	1996-2012	134	225	34	8781	281	45.97	17	56	14
5	V Sehwag	2001-2013	103	178	06	8503	319	49.43	23	31	16
6	V Kohli	2011-2023	109	184	11	8430	254*	48.72	28	28	14
7	SC Ganguly	1996-2008	113	188	17	7212	239	42.17	16	35	13
8	CA Pujara	2010-2023	103	175	11	7168	206*	43.70	19	35	12
9	DB Vengsarkar	1976-1992	116	185	22	6868	166	42.13	17	35	15
10	M Azharuddin	1984-2000	099	147	09	6215	199	45.03	22	21	05
11	GR Viswanath	1969-1983	091	155	10	6080	222	41.93	14	35	10
12	N Kapil Dev	1978-1994	131	184	15	5248	163	31.05	08	27	16
13	AM Rahane	2013-2023	083	141	12	5020	188	38.91	12	26	10

AM Rahane-SR Thakur posted runs for the seventh wicket to provide the 15th occasion of batsmen posting a three figure partnership in an innings against Australia in a test played at neutral venue.

No	Partners	Wkt	Runs	I	Team	Opposition	Ground	Start Date
1	Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Hafeez	1	205	1	Pak	v Australia	Dub-DSC	7 Oct 2018
2	Azhar Ali, Salman Butt	2	102	4	Pak	v Australia	Lord’s	13 Jul 2010
3	Azhar Ali, Imran Farhat	2	110	4	Pak	v Australia	Leeds	21 Jul 2010
4	Ahmed Shehzad, Younis Khan	2	168	3	Pak	v Australia	Dub-DSC	22 Oct 2014
5	Azhar Ali, Younis Khan	3	108	1	Pak	v Australia	Dub-DSC	22 Oct 2014
6	Azhar Ali, Younis Khan	3	236	1	Pak	v Australia	Abu Dhabi	30 Oct 2014
7	Azhar Ali, Younis Khan	3	131	3	Pak	v Australia	Abu Dhabi	30 Oct 2014
8	Misbah-ul-Haq, Younis Khan	4	181	1	Pak	v Australia	Abu Dhabi	30 Oct 2014
9	Azhar Ali, Misbah-ul-Haq	4	141*	3	Pak	v Australia	Abu Dhabi	30 Oct 2014
10	Asad Shafiq, Haris Sohail	5	150	1	Pak	v Australia	Dub-DSC	7 Oct 2018
11	Faisal Iqbal, Rashid Latif	6	103	2	Pak	v Australia	Col-PSS	3 Oct 2002
12	Asad Shafiq, Sarfaraz Ahmed	6	124	1	Pak	v Australia	Dub-DSC	22 Oct 2014
13	Fakhar Zaman, Sarfaraz Ahmed	6	147	1	Pak	v Australia	Abu Dhabi	16 Oct 2018
14	Babar Azam, Sarfaraz Ahmed	6	133	3	Pak	v Australia	Abu Dhabi	16 Oct 2018
15	AM Rahane, SN Thakur	7	109	2	Ind	v Australia	The Oval	07 Jun 2023

It is interesting to note that of the 15 three figure partnerships posted in a test against Australia at a neutral venue, 14 are by Pakistan batsmen. Thus India became the first team to post a three figure partnership against Australia at a neutral venue, other than Pakistan.

V Kohli completed 2000 runs against Australia when he was on seven during the course of his knock of 44 not out at the end of the fourth day’s play in the third innings of this test {India’s second innings}. At the end of the fourth day’s play, his run aggregate against Australia read 2037. He became the fifth Indian batsman to total 2000 plus runs against Australia.  Others are – SR Tendulkar {3630}, VVS Laxman {2434}, R Dravid {2143} and CA Pujara {2074}

SPD Smith had completed 2000 runs against India earlier in this test. It is one of the rare occasions when two rival batsmen completing 2000 plus runs against each other in a test series between two teams. SPD Smith’s run aggregate against India at the end of Australia’s second innings read 2042.

RA Jadeja’a aggregate of test wickets at the end of Australia’s second innings read 268. He took four wickets in this test {one in the first innings and three in the second innings}. TM Head’s wicket whom he had caught and bowled for 18 – his second wicket in the second innings of this test – gave him his 267th wicket. He surpassed BS Bedi’s 266 wickets to become India’s highest wicket taker among left arm spin bowlers.

AT Carey scored 66 not out in this test to provide the 21st occasion of an Australian wicket keeper batsman scoring a fifty against India. It also provides the 19^th occasion of an Australian wicket keeper batsman scoring a half century against India.

It also provides the 24^th occasion of a wicket keeper batsman scoring a fifty in a test played at neutral venue. It also provides the 19^th occasion of wicket keeper batsman scoring a half century in a test played at a neutral venue.

AT Carey-MA Starc added 93 runs for the seventh wicket in Australia’s second innings – the third innings – of this test to provide the highest seventh wicket partnership against India by Australian batsmen involving a wicket keeper batsman.

V Kohli completed 2000 runs against Australia when he was on seven during the course of his knock of 44 not out at the end of the fourth day’s play in the third innings of this test {India’s second innings}. At the end of the fourth day’s play, his run aggregate against Australia read 2037. He became the ninth Indian batsman to score 2000 plus runs against various oppositions. The following table lists all the nine batsmen who have accomplished the feat.

No	Player	Span	Mat	Inns	NO	Runs	HS	Ave	C	HC	0	Opposition
1	SM Gavaskar	1971-1983	27	48	6	2749	236*	65.45	13	7	5	West Indies
2	SM Gavaskar	1971-1986	38	67	2	2483	221	38.20	4	16	3	England
3	SM Gavaskar	1978-1987	24	41	4	2089	166	56.45	5	12	1	Pakistan
4	SR Tendulkar	1990-2012	32	53	4	2535	193	51.73	7	13	0	England
5	SR Tendulkar	1991-2013	39	74	8	3630	241*	55.00	11	16	4	Australia
6	R Dravid	1996-2012	32	60	6	2143	233	39.68	2	13	3	Australia
6	VVS Laxman	1998-2012	29	54	5	2434	281	49.67	6	12	3	Australia
8	CA Pujara	2010-2023	25	45	3	2074	204	49.38	5	11	4	Australia
9	V Kohli	2011-2023	25	44	2	2037	186	48.50	8	5	3	Australia

AM Rahane scored  89 in India’s first innings in this test which was his eighth fifty and sixth half century against Australia.

AM Rahane completed 5000 runs of his test career when he was on 69 during the course of his knock of 89 in this test. At the end of India’s first innings, his aggregate read 5020. He became the thirteenth Indian batsman to score 5000 plus test runs. The following table lists all of them.

No	Player	Span	Mat	Inns	NO	Runs	HS	Ave	100	50	0
1	SR Tendulkar	1989-2013	200	329	33	15921	248*	53.78	51	68	14
2	R Dravid	1996-2012	163	284	32	13265	270	52.63	36	63	07
3	SM Gavaskar	1971-1987	125	214	16	10122	236*	51.12	34	45	12
4	VVS Laxman	1996-2012	134	225	34	8781	281	45.97	17	56	14
5	V Sehwag	2001-2013	103	178	06	8503	319	49.43	23	31	16
6	V Kohli	2011-2023	109	184	11	8430	254*	48.72	28	28	14
7	SC Ganguly	1996-2008	113	188	17	7212	239	42.17	16	35	13
8	CA Pujara	2010-2023	103	175	11	7168	206*	43.70	19	35	12
9	DB Vengsarkar	1976-1992	116	185	22	6868	166	42.13	17	35	15
10	M Azharuddin	1984-2000	099	147	09	6215	199	45.03	22	21	05
11	GR Viswanath	1969-1983	091	155	10	6080	222	41.93	14	35	10
12	N Kapil Dev	1978-1994	131	184	15	5248	163	31.05	08	27	16
13	AM Rahane	2013-2023	083	141	12	5020	188	38.91	12	26	10

AM Rahane-SR Thakur posted 109 runs for the seventh wicket to provide the 109th occasion of Indian batsmen posting a three figure partnership in an innings against Australia

AM Rahane-SR Thakur posted 109 runs for the seventh wicket to provide the ninth occasion of Indian batsmen posting a three figure partnership in an innings against Australia for the seventh wicket.

AM Rahane-SR Thakur posted runs for the seventh wicket to provide the 106th occasion of batsmen posting a three figure partnership in an innings in a test played at neutral venue. It also provides the second occasion of batsmen posting a three figure partnership for the seventh wicket in a test played at the neutral venue.

No	Partners	Wkt	Runs	I	Team	Opp	Ground	Start Date
1	AD Mathews, MDK Perera	7	112	1	Srl	Pak	Sharjah	16 Jan 2014
2	AM Rahane, SN Thakur	7	109	2	Ins	Aus	The Oval	07 Jun 2023

AM Rahane-SR Thakur posted runs for the seventh wicket to provide the 15th occasion of batsmen posting a three figure partnership in an innings against Australia in a test played at neutral venue.

No	Partners	Wkt	Runs	I	Team	Opposition	Ground	Start Date
1	Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Hafeez	1	205	1	Pak	v Australia	Dub-DSC	7 Oct 2018
2	Azhar Ali, Salman Butt	2	102	4	Pak	v Australia	Lord’s	13 Jul 2010
3	Azhar Ali, Imran Farhat	2	110	4	Pak	v Australia	Leeds	21 Jul 2010
4	Ahmed Shehzad, Younis Khan	2	168	3	Pak	v Australia	Dub-DSC	22 Oct 2014
5	Azhar Ali, Younis Khan	3	108	1	Pak	v Australia	Dub-DSC	22 Oct 2014
6	Azhar Ali, Younis Khan	3	236	1	Pak	v Australia	Abu Dhabi	30 Oct 2014
7	Azhar Ali, Younis Khan	3	131	3	Pak	v Australia	Abu Dhabi	30 Oct 2014
8	Misbah-ul-Haq, Younis Khan	4	181	1	Pak	v Australia	Abu Dhabi	30 Oct 2014
9	Azhar Ali, Misbah-ul-Haq	4	141*	3	Pak	v Australia	Abu Dhabi	30 Oct 2014
10	Asad Shafiq, Haris Sohail	5	150	1	Pak	v Australia	Dub-DSC	7 Oct 2018
11	Faisal Iqbal, Rashid Latif	6	103	2	Pak	v Australia	Col-PSS	3 Oct 2002
12	Asad Shafiq, Sarfaraz Ahmed	6	124	1	Pak	v Australia	Dub-DSC	22 Oct 2014
13	Fakhar Zaman, Sarfaraz Ahmed	6	147	1	Pak	v Australia	Abu Dhabi	16 Oct 2018
14	Babar Azam, Sarfaraz Ahmed	6	133	3	Pak	v Australia	Abu Dhabi	16 Oct 2018
15	AM Rahane, SN Thakur	7	109	2	Ind	v Australia	The Oval	07 Jun 2023

It is interesting to note that of the 15 three figure partnerships posted in a test against Australia at a neutral venue, 14 are by Pakistan batsmen. Thus India became the first team to post a three figure partnership against Australia at a neutral venue, other than Pakistan.

It’s just a coincidence. India was dismissed all out for 296. Australia’s lead over India at the end of the third day was also 296.  Australia’s second innings score at the end of the third day was 123 for 4  – the first four digits in that order.

SN Thakur’s 51 in this game represent his fourth fifty of his test career. Other three are – 67 Vs Aus at Brisbane in Jan 2021, 60 Vs Eng at The Oval in Sep 2021 and 57 Vs Eng at The Oval in Sep 2021. Thus his 51 in the first innings of this test represent his third consecutive fifty at The Oval.

SPD Smith scored 121 in this game to provide the 109^th occasion of an Australian batsman scoring a century against India.

It also provides the 92nd occasion of a batsman scoring a century in a test played at a neutral venue. It also provides the twelfth occasion of an Australian batsman scoring a century in a test played at a neutral venue

TM Head scored 163 to provide the 34^th occasion of an Australian batsman scoring 150 plus runs against India.

It also provides the 28th occasion of a batsman scoring 150 plus runs in a test played at a neutral venue. It also provides the third occasion of an Australian batsman scoring a century in a test played at a neutral venue

No	Player	Runs	I	Opposition	Ground	Start Date
1	W Bardsley	164	2	v South Africa	Lord’s	15 Jul 1912
2	RT Ponting	150	1	v Pakistan	Sharjah	19 Oct 2002
3	TM Head	163	1	v India	The Oval	07 Jun 2023

TM Head’s 163 in this test was one run short of the highest individual innings by an Australian batsman in a test at neutral venue. W Bardsley had scored 164 against South Africa at Lord’s in July 1912

No	Player	Runs	I	Opposition	Ground	Start Date
1	W Bardsley	164	2	v South Africa	Lord’s	15 Jul 1912
2	TM Head	163	1	v India	The Oval	07 Jun 2023

SPD Smith and TM Head posted 285 runs for the fourth wicket at the end of the first day to provide the 124th occasion of Australian batsmen posting a three figure partnership against India. It also provides the 25^th occasion of Australian batsmen posting a three figure partnership against India for the fourth wicket

SPD Smith and TM Head posted 285 runs for the fourth wicket at the end of the first day to provide the 18th occasion of Australian batsmen posting 200 plus runs partnership against India. It also provides the fourth occasion of Australian batsmen posting 200 plus runs partnership against India for the fourth wicket.

SPD Smith and TM Head posted 285 runs for the fourth wicket at the end of the first day to provide the fourth occasion of Australian batsmen posting 250 plus runs partnership against India. It also provides the third occasion of Australian batsmen posting 250 plus runs partnership against India for the fourth wicket.

SPD Smith and TM Head posted 285 runs for the fourth wicket at the end of the first day to provide the 18th occasion of batsmen posting 200 plus runs partnership in a test played at the neutral venue. It also provides the fourth occasion of batsmen posting 200 plus runs partnership for the fourth wicket in a test played at the neutral venue.

Mohd Shami and Mohd Siraj conceded 122 runs and 108 runs respectively in Australia’s first innings to provide the 134^th and 135^th occasion of Indian bowlers conceding 100 plus runs in an innings against Australia

Mohd Shami and Mohd Siraj conceded 122 runs and 108 runs respectively in Australia’s first innings to provide the 52nd and 53rd occasion of Indian pace bowlers conceding 100 plus runs in an innings against Australia

Mohd Shami returned with figures of 2 for 122 in this innings to provide the fifth occasion of his conceding 100 plus runs in an innings against Australia. He became the third Indian bowler to concede 100 plus runs in an innings against Australia. Others are – I Sharma {05} and UT Yadav {08}

No	Player	Overs	M	Runs	W	I	Opposition	Ground	Start Date
1	Mohd Shami	24.0	2	120	2	1	v Australia	Adelaide	09 Dec 2014
2	Mohd Shami	29.0	4	138	4	1	v Australia	Melbourne	26 Dec 2014
3	Mohd Shami	28.3	3	112	5	1	v Australia	Sydney	06 Jan 2015
4	Mohd Shami	31.0	3	134	2	1	v Australia	Ahmedabad	09 Mar 2023
5	Mohd Shami	29.0	4	122	2	1	v Australia	The Oval	07 Jun 2023
1	I Sharma	40.0	6	115	3	2	v Australia	Adelaide	24 Jan 2008
2	I Sharma	33.0	2	144	1	2	v Australia	Sydney	03 Jan 2012
3	I Sharma	30.0	6	100	0	1	v Australia	Adelaide	24 Jan 2012
4	I Sharma	23.0	2	117	3	2	v Australia	Brisbane	17 Dec 2014
5	I Sharma	32.0	7	104	0	1	v Australia	Melbourne	26 Dec 2014
1	UT Yadav	26.0	5	106	3	1	v Australia	Melbourne	26 Dec 2011
2	UT Yadav	24.0	2	123	0	2	v Australia	Sydney	03 Jan 2012
3	UT Yadav	26.0	1	136	1	1	v Australia	Adelaide	24 Jan 2012
4	UT Yadav	25.0	4	101	3	2	v Australia	Brisbane	17 Dec 2014
5	UT Yadav	32.3	3	130	3	1	v Australia	Melbourne	26 Dec 2014
6	UT Yadav	27.0	5	137	1	1	v Australia	Sydney	06 Jan 2015
7	UT Yadav	31.0	3	106	3	1	v Australia	Ranchi	16 Mar 2017
8	UT Yadav	25.0	2	105	0	1	v Australia	Ahmedabad	09 Mar 2023

Mohd Shami and Mohd Siraj conceded 122 runs and 108 runs respectively in Australia’s first innings to provide the 90th and 91st occasion of bowlers conceding 100 plus runs in an innings in a test at neutral venue.

Mohd Shami and Mohd Siraj conceded 122 runs and 108 runs respectively in Australia’s first innings to provide the 21st and 22nd occasion of pace bowlers conceding 100 plus runs in an innings in a test at neutral venue.

Mohd Shami and Mohd Siraj conceded 122 runs and 108 runs respectively in Australia’s first innings to provide the fifth occasion of two or more pace bowlers conceding 100 plus runs in an innings in a test at neutral venue.

Mohd Shami and Mohd Siraj conceded 122 runs and 108 runs respectively in Australia’s first innings to provide the 25th occasion of two or more bowlers conceding 100 plus runs in an innings in a test at neutral venue.

Mohd Shami and Mohd Siraj conceded 122 runs and 108 runs respectively in Australia’s first innings to provide the 40th occasion of two or more Indian bowlers conceding 100 plus runs in an innings against Australia

Mohd Shami and Mohd Siraj conceded 122 runs and 108 runs respectively in Australia’s first innings to provide the 18th occasion of two or more Indian pace bowlers conceding 100 plus runs in an innings against Australia

SPD Smith’s aggregate of runs against India read 2008 at the end of his innings in this test. He became the third Australian batsman to total 2000 plus runs against India. Others are – RT Ponting {2555} and MJ Clarke {2049]

SPD Smith’s aggregate of runs against India read 2008 at the end of his innings in this test. His feat provides the 24^th occasion of Australian batsman to total 2000 plus runs against various oppositions. All such occasions are tabulated below.

No	Player	Mat	Inns	NO	Runs	HS	Ave	C	50	0	Opposition
1	DG Bradman	37	63	7	5028	334	89.78	19	12	6	England
2	AR Border	47	82	19	3548	200*	56.31	8	21	3	England
3	SR Waugh	46	73	18	3200	177*	58.18	10	14	6	England
4	SPD Smith	32	56	5	3044	239	59.68	11	11	2	England
5	C Hill	41	76	1	2660	188	35.46	4	16	8	England
6	GS Chappell	35	65	8	2619	144	45.94	9	12	4	England
7	RT Ponting	29	51	4	2555	257	54.36	8	12	4	India
8	MA Taylor	33	61	2	2496	219	42.30	6	15	2	England
9	RT Ponting	35	58	2	2476	196	44.21	8	9	2	England
10	RN Harvey	37	68	5	2416	167	38.34	6	12	6	England
11	VT Trumper	40	74	5	2263	185*	32.79	6	9	7	England
12	MJ Clarke	35	62	7	2241	187	40.74	7	7	2	England
13	DC Boon	31	57	8	2237	184*	45.65	7	8	5	England
14	WM Lawry	29	51	5	2233	166	48.54	7	13	4	England
15	ME Waugh	29	51	7	2204	140	50.09	6	11	0	England
16	SE Gregory	52	92	7	2193	201	25.80	4	8	11	England
17	SR Waugh	32	51	7	2192	200	49.81	7	9	3	West Indies
18	WW Armstrong	42	71	9	2172	158	35.03	4	6	5	England
19	IM Chappell	30	56	4	2138	192	41.11	4	16	5	England
20	RT Ponting	26	48	3	2132	143*	47.37	8	11	6	South Africa
21	AR Morris	24	43	2	2080	206	50.73	8	8	3	England
22	AR Border	31	59	7	2052	126	39.46	3	14	4	West Indies
23	MJ Clarke	22	40	2	2049	329*	53.92	7	6	2	India
24	SPD Smith	19	36	6	2008	192	66.93	9	5	2	India

SPD Smith’s century – 121 – in this test represents his ninth century against India. He now owns the record for most centuries by an Australian batsman against India. He went past RT Ponting who had scored eight centuries against India.

SPD Smith’s nine centuries against India provides the fifth occasion of an Australian batsman scoring nine or more centuries against various oppositions. All such occasions are tabulated below

No	Player	Span	Mat	I	NO	Runs	HS	Ave	C	Opposition
1	DG Bradman	1928-1948	19	19	4	3569	334	237.93	19	England
2	SPD Smith	2013-2019	10	11	3	1701	239	212.62	11	England
3	SR Waugh	1989-2003	09	10	5	1308	177*	261.60	10	England
4	GS Chappell	1970-1982	09	09	0	1056	144	117.33	09	England
5	SPD Smith	2014-2023	09	09	2	1254	192	179.14	09	India

SPD Smith became the first Australian batsman to score nine or more centuries against two oppositions – Vs England {11} and Vs India {09}

No	Player	Span	Mat	I	NO	Runs	HS	Ave	C	Opposition
1	SPD Smith	2013-2019	10	11	3	1701	239	212.62	11	England
2	SPD Smith	2014-2023	09	09	2	1254	192	179.14	09	India

SPD Smith’s century – 121 – in this test represents his 31^st century of his career. He is one of the four Australian batsmen who have scored 30 plus centuries. He now occupies the third place in the list of Australian batsmen who have scored 30 plus centuries. He went past ML Hayden’s 30 centuries to occupy the third place.

No	Player	Span	Mat	Inns	NO	Runs	HS	Ave	C
1	RT Ponting	1995-2012	168	287	29	13378	257	51.85	41
2	SR Waugh	1985-2004	168	260	46	10927	200	51.06	32
3	SPD Smith	2010-2023	97	170	22	8913	239	60.22	31
4	ML Hayden	1994-2009	103	184	14	8625	380	50.73	30

It is interesting to note that SPD Smith is the only batsman in the list of Australian batsman to score 30 plus centuries without playing 100 plus tests. He is playing his 97^th test as of now.

SPD Smith is the only batsman score 30 plus centuries without playing 100 plus tests in the annals of test cricket. He is playing his 97^th test as of now. The following table lists the batsmen who have scored 30 plus centuries in the annals of test cricket.

No	Player	Team	Span	Mat	Inns	NO	Runs	HS	Ave	C
1	SR Tendulkar	Ind	1989-2013	200	329	33	15921	248*	53.78	51
2	JH Kallis	SAF	1995-2013	166	280	40	13289	224	55.37	45
3	RT Ponting	Aus	1995-2012	168	287	29	13378	257	51.85	41
4	KC Sangakkara	Srl	2000-2015	134	233	17	12400	319	57.40	38
5	R Dravid	Ind	1996-2012	164	286	32	13288	270	52.31	36
6	SM Gavaskar	Ind	1971-1987	125	214	16	10122	236*	51.12	34
7	M Jayawardene	Srl	1997-2014	149	252	15	11814	374	49.84	34
8	BC Lara	Win	1990-2006	131	232	6	11953	400*	52.88	34
9	Younis Khan	Pak	2000-2017	118	213	19	10099	313	52.05	34
10	AN Cook	Eng	2006-2018	161	291	16	12472	294	45.35	33
11	SR Waugh	Aus	1985-2004	168	260	46	10927	200	51.06	32
12	SPD Smith	Aus	2010-2023	97	170	22	8913	239	60.22	31
13	S Chanderpaul	Win	1994-2015	164	280	49	11867	203*	51.37	30
14	ML Hayden	Aus	1994-2009	103	184	14	8625	380	50.73	30

TM Head’s 163 contained 25 boundary fours. His feat provides the 54^th occasion of an Australian batsman scoring 25 boundary fours while scoring a century. It also provides the 53^rd occasion of an Australian batsman scoring 25 boundary fours while scoring 150 plus runs

TM Head’s 163 contained 25 boundary fours. His feat provides the eighth occasion of an Australian batsman scoring 25 boundary fours while scoring a century against India. It also provides the eighth occasion of an Australian batsman scoring 25 boundary fours while scoring 150 plus runs against India

AM Rahane became the seventh Indian fieldsman other than the wicket keepers to pouch 100 catches, when he caught PJ Cummins of Mohd Siraj for 09 in Australia’s first innings. The following table lists all the Indian fieldsmen.

No	Player	Span	Mat	Inns	Ct
1	R Dravid	1996-2012	163	299	209
2	VVS Laxman	1996-2012	134	248	135
3	SR Tendulkar	1989-2013	200	366	115
4	V Kohli	2011-2023	109	209	109
5	SM Gavaskar	1971-1987	125	216	108
6	M Azharuddin	1984-2000	99	177	105
7	AM Rahane	2013-2023	83	159	100

AM Rahane became the sixth Indian fieldsman other than the wicket keepers to pouch 20 plus catches against Australia, when he caught PJ Cummins of Mohd Siraj for 09 in Australia’s first innings. The following table lists all the Indian fieldsmen.

No	Player	Span	Mat	Inns	Ct
1	R Dravid	1996-2012	32	60	46
2	VVS Laxman	1998-2012	29	54	36
3	V Kohli	2011-2023	25	48	25
4	SR Tendulkar	1991-2013	39	74	23
5	V Sehwag	2003-2013	22	41	22
6	AM Rahane	2013-2023	18	36	20

WTC Final Australia Vs India First day

India won the toss and elected to field first to provide the eleventh occasion of India doing so against Australia. India is yet win a test against Australia when it has inserted Australia. India has lost five tests and five tests have ended in a draw.

UT Khawaja was dismissed for a zero in Australia’s first innings to provide the 24^th occasion of an Australian opener dismissed for zero in an innings against India.

It also provides the seventh occasion of an Australian opener dismissed for zero in Australia’s first innings against India.

It also provides the second occasion for Usman Khawaja getting dismissed without scoring in an innings against India while opening the innings. The first such occasion was at Indore in March 2023. He was dismissed caught by wicket keeper KS Bharath on both occasions. He was dismissed by R Ashwin at Indore and by Mohd Siraj at The Oval

UT Khawaja’s dismissal for zero in Australia’s first innings provides the tenth occasion of an Australian opener batting at number two dismissed for a zero against India.

UT Khawaja became the third Australian opening batsman to be dismissed for a zero after playing ten or more deliveries in an innings against India. In this innings, he was dismissed for a duck after playing ten deliveries. Others are – SE Marsh at Pune in Feb 2017 after playing 21 deliveries and JA Burns at Melbourne in Dec 2020 after playing 10 deliveries.

RG Sharma was making his 50^th appearance in this test. He became the 36^th Indian cricketer to make 50 plus appearance

UT Khawaja’s ten ball duck in Australia’s first innings of this test provides the 131st occasion of an Australian batsman to be dismissed for a zero after playing ten or more deliveries in an innings against various oppositions. It also provided the 24^th occasion of an Australian batsman to be dismissed for a zero after playing ten or more deliveries in an innings against India.

UT Khawaja registered his sixth zero of his test career when he was dismissed for a duck in Australia’s first innings in this test. It also represents his second duck while opening the innings for Australia.

UT Khawaja’s ten ball duck in Australia’s first innings of this test provides the 29th occasion of an opening batsman to be dismissed for a zero in a test played at a neutral venue. He also became the second opening batsman to score a zero after playing ten or more deliveries in an innings in a test at neutral venue. JA Raval of New Zealand was the other batsman who collected a zero after playing 15 deliveries against Pakistan at Abu Dhabi in Dec 2018.

It also provides the second occasion of an Australian opening batsman to be dismissed for a zero in an innings in a test played at a neutral venue. CB Jennigs was the other Australian opening batsman to suffer such an ignominy. He had scored duck against South Africa at Lord’s in Jul 1912. The interval between these two instances is 111 years

SPD Smith and TM Head posted 251 runs unfinished partnership for the fourth wicket at the end of the first day to provide the 124h occasion of Australian batsmen posting a three figure partnership against India. It also provides the 25^th occasion of Australian batsmen posting a three figure partnership against India for the fourth wicket

SPD Smith and TM Head posted 251 runs unfinished partnership for the fourth wicket at the end of the first day to provide the 18th occasion of Australian batsmen posting 200 plus runs partnership against India. It also provides the fourth occasion of Australian batsmen posting 200 plus runs partnership against India for the fourth wicket.

SPD Smith and TM Head posted 251 runs unfinished partnership for the fourth wicket at the end of the first day to provide the fourth occasion of Australian batsmen posting 250 plus runs partnership against India. It also provides the third occasion of Australian batsmen posting 250 plus runs partnership against India for the fourth wicket.

SPD Smith and TM Head posted 251 runs unfinished partnership for the fourth wicket at the end of the first day to provide the 18th occasion of batsmen posting 200 plus runs partnership in a test played at the neutral venue. It also provides the fourth occasion of batsmen posting 200 plus runs partnership for the fourth wicket in a test played at the neutral venue.

TM Head scored 146 not out at the end of the first day’s play to provide the 108^th occasion of an Australian batsman scoring a century against India.

It also provides the 91^st occasion of a batsman scoring a century in a test played at a neutral venue. It also provides the eleventh occasion of an Australian batsman scoring  a century in a test played at a neutral venue

WTC Final Australia Vs India First day

India won the toss and elected to field first to provide the eleventh occasion of India doing so against Australia. India is yet win a test against Australia when it has inserted Australia. India has lost five tests and five tests have ended in a draw.

UT Khawaja was dismissed for a zero in Australia’s first innings to provide the 24^th occasion of an Australian opener dismissed for zero in an innings against India.

It also provides the seventh occasion of an Australian opener dismissed for zero in Australia’s first innings against India.

It also provides the second occasion for Usman Khawaja getting dismissed without scoring in an innings against India while opening the innings. The first such occasion was at Indore in March 2023. He was dismissed caught by wicket keeper KS Bharath on both occasions. He was dismissed by R Ashwin at Indore and by Mohd Siraj at The Oval

UT Khawaja’s dismissal for zero in Australia’s first innings provides the tenth occasion of an Australian opener batting at number two dismissed for a zero against India.

UT Khawaja became the third Australian opening batsman to be dismissed for a zero after playing ten or more deliveries in an innings against India. In this innings, he was dismissed for a duck after playing ten deliveries. Others are – SE Marsh at Pune in Feb 2017 after playing 21 deliveries and JA Burns at Melbourne in Dec 2020 after playing 10 deliveries.

RG Sharma was making his 50^th appearance in this test. He became the 36^th Indian cricketer to make 50 plus appearance

UT Khawaja’s ten ball duck in Australia’s first innings of this test provides the 131st occasion of an Australian batsman to be dismissed for a zero after playing ten or more deliveries in an innings against various oppositions. It also provided the 24^th occasion of an Australian batsman to be dismissed for a zero after playing ten or more deliveries in an innings against India.

UT Khawaja registered his sixth zero of his test career when he was dismissed for a duck in Australia’s first innings in this test. It also represents his second duck while opening the innings for Australia.

To be continued ……………….