The Aussies would surely look to exploit the Indians most of whom are coming back from a two-month period of white-ball cricket (IPL). (Representational AFP Image)
HYDERABAD: The last time India won an ICC trophy was back in June 2013. That was 10 years ago.
Come Wednesday (June 7), India will believe they have a realistic chance of ending this drought when the Rohit Sharma-led side takes on Australia in the World Test Championship final at the Kennington Oval in London, UK.
This is India’s second appearance in the WTC final after a defeat at the hands of New Zealand in 2021, which was the inaugural edition of the showpiece event.
On the basis of form, Australia is the favourite in this clash. Australia topped the WTC’s 2021-2023 season table with 66.67 points percentage (PCT). India, who stood second in the league phase, registered 58.8 PCT.
Crucially of the three times Australia lost this season, two of the defeats were handed to them by India. Australia won 11 tests in this period and India won 10 tests.
The Indian team set to take the field is a mix of youth and experience. While the likes of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja and Mohammed Shami will rightfully take their place in the pantheon of cricketing giants. It is the likes of Mohammed Siraj and Shubman Gill who will take Indian cricket forward.
The gaping hole left by wicketkeeper-batsman Rishab Pant, however, will pinch India in this fixture. At the time of his freak car accident, Pant was the world’s unchallenged number-one keeper-batter in the world and the Indian team’s mainstay in the middle order. Ishan Kishan or Srikar Bharat will play in place of Pant but neither has the same red-ball pedigree.
India will also have the age-old dilemma of the right playing combination. Will they go with four bowlers or five? Will Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin both play? These puzzles India will have to get right.
Other than the combination, India will also be wary of the English conditions. This lot of Indian batsmen have struggled in England’s seaming wickets.
The Australians, on the other hand, are a much more settled unit; at least in terms of the number of changes made to the side.
Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith and Travis Head have pulled in truck-loads of runs this season and the like of Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon are experiencing a second wind in the twilight of their careers.
The Aussies would surely look to exploit the Indians – most of whom are coming back from a two-month period of white-ball cricket (IPL).
In terms of threats, the Aussies are facing the threat posed by certain in-form Indians. One of them is Siraj, who in English conditions will be a handful. Even Indian skipper Rohit Sharma will be one to look out for, with his knack for delivering in tough situations.
The pitch at Kennington Oval is generally a sporting wicket with quicks getting help in the first four sessions, followed by a period of good batting and then the last two days aiding the spinners.
Over the five days of cricket (June 7 to 11), rain is predicted on June 10 (Saturday). In all likelihood, there will be a result in the match. This tie will also have a reserve day on June 12.
Prediction: This titanic clash is evenly poised but one must admit the Aussies are slight favourites.
WTC squads and final XIs:
INDIA predicted XI: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Ravindra Jadeja, Ishan Kishan (w), Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj and Umesh Yadav.
Other squad players: Axar Patel, Srikar Bharat, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Umesh Yadav, Jaydev Unadkat.
AUSTRALIA predicted XI: David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (w), Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland, Nathan Lyon.
Other squad players: Todd Murphy, Michael Neser, Marcus Harris.
Pacer Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out because of an injury.
WTC final date: June 7-11
WTC final venue: Kennington Oval, London.
WTC final telecast time: 3.30 pm IST
