WTC Final Preview – India face Australian test for the ultimate glory
The World Test Championship cycle of 2021-23 is about to reach its culmination. India and Australia are all set to lock horns in the final from June 7 at the Oval in London. It will be India’s second consecutive appearance in the final after they got beaten against New Zealand by 8 wickets in the final of the inaugural edition in 2021.
On the other hand, after failing to qualify for the final in the first cycle, Australia managed to top the points table this time around and became the first team to seal their spot in the summit clash. The Pat Cummins-led side would become the first team in the world to have all the major ICC titles under their belt.
The pressure to turn the odds in India’s favour will be huge on Rohit Sharma’s men as they look to end their ICC trophy drought since 2013. Both teams have a lot to play for in the summit clash. Hence the battle between the two promises to be a mouthwatering clash.
Pitch and Conditions
It will be for the first time that a Test match will be played in June at the Oval in its almost 143-year-long history. Hence, no one can predict the challenges the venue will present during the big game. Traditionally, the pitch has been a track for batters with minimal swing on offer for the bowlers.
The first look of the pitch for the big game showed it to be full of grass. Greenery of the turf may reduced further as the game draws closer. However, there won’t be a major difference. Hence a seamer-friendly green surface can be expected for the final. There are also high chances of rain on the last three days of the Test, including the reserve day.
Here’s the Probable XI for Australia vs India clash:
Australia
The Kangaroos have got a bad news ahead of the big clash. Star seamer Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out of the summit clash due to an injury. However, they have a good replacement in Scott Boland who has been extremely successful in his short Test career. The rest of the Aussie lineup looks settled with most of the players coming into the XI with ease. Notably, they have added Michael Neser for Hazlewood’s absence.
India
Asian giants have been marred by injuries coming into the contest. Seamer Jasprit Bumrah and wicketkeeper batter Rishabh Pant are unavailable due to injuries. India will have a tough time choosing between Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja for the big game. However, India have often preferred playing Jadeja over Ashwin in away Tests. Rohit Sharma also faces another conundrum of choosing between Ishan Kishan and Srikar Bharat as wicketkeeper.
