We review the World Test Championship final between Australia and India at The Oval - which ended with a 209-run win and the Test mace for Australia. It was India's second consecutive loss in the WTC final - and offered hints that a terrific side is likely past its peak. 

Talking Points:

• Australia's greater depth in bowling


• Yet another missed opportunity for this Indian side to win a world title


• The height advantage - how the 'release points' could have made a difference


• The magnificent Mr Smith


• Did India misread the conditions on Day 1?


• Gill and Pujara leaving balls that hit the stumps


• Ashwin v Jadeja; Ashwin v Shardul; Ashwin v Umesh - the selection riddle


• Lyon's craft to get Jadeja and Rohit out


• Rahane's joyous return to Tests


• What next for this Indian bowling attack?


• The Rahul Dravid question

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Participants:

Siddhartha Vaidyanathan (@sidvee)

Prashant DP (@prashantdptweet) | Prashant's cricket posts on Medium

Kartikeya Date (@cricketingview) | Kartikeya's Substack

Ashoka (@ABVan)

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Related:

• The story of the WTC final - Kartikeya Date - Cricketingview


• Boland and Cummins unleash on India - Osman Samiuddin - ESPNcricinfo


• Beware, England: Steve Smith looks like a batting immortal again - Geoff Lemon - Guardian


• Ajinkya Rahane, India's quiet hero - Nagraj Gollapudi - ESPNcricinfo


• Ashwin's preparation list for the WTC final - Venkata Krishna - Indian Express