WTC Final 2023: Three Player Battles Which Could Decide India vs Australia Title Clash

07.06.2023 - 06:25 sports.ndtv.com

Team India will be up against Australia in the much-awaited World Test Championship at The Oval from Wednesday. India have been the most consistent side over the past two WTC cycles and also reached knockout phases of major white-ball tournaments over the last 10 years but an ICC trophy has eluded them.

The last major ICC trophy India won was way back in 2013 when it bagged the Champions Trophy in England. It will be an interesting clash as both the teams have their own top performers, which will make this one a thrilling battle. Three players battle to watch out: Virat Kohli-Pat Cummins:The first and most engaging battle will be between India star batter Virat Kohli and Australia skipper and pacer Pat Cummins. "Cummins in any condition is handful for any batter and again he is going to relish like all the bowlers, the conditions and that's a really good matchup from the Australia's perspective.

Pat Cummins vs Virat Kohli because he can get the ball go away from Kohli and challenge the outside edge and he's also got that really good off-cutter which he has used effectively, particularly in England," said Tom Moody on Star Sports. Rohit Sharma vs Mitchell Starc:India skipper Rohit Sharma will look for redemption after a mediocre run in IPL 2023 and will have a intense battle against Australia star pacer Mitchell Starc. "We know the class and what a world class batter Rohit Sharma is but I think the timing of this particular match in England in June, where the ball tend to get some assistance with overhead conditions and the pitch is bit more livelier than the end of the summer, where the bowlers will be having an edge over the batters, so I think in this case Starc will win the battle," said Tom Moody. Steve Smith vs

cricket Australia Cricket Team player Pat Cummins Mitchell Starc Steve Smith Virat Kohli Rohit Sharma Star Sports Steven Smith Tom Moody Australia India

With India losing World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia at The Oval in London, former India team selector Sarandeep Singh said there "was some slack in captaincy" and that Ravichandran Ashwin should have been part of the playing XI. India lost the ICC World Test Championship title for the second time after reaching the finals. Australia defeated India by 209 runs at The Oval on June 11 and made history by becoming the first-ever team to clinch all major ICC trophies.

"Choice Is Yours": Ravi Shastri Puts Onus On India Players Over IPL Decision After WTC Final Loss

Former India coach Ravi Shastri on Sunday sounded skceptical about the possibility of players getting extended gap after the IPL or practice games ahead of future WTC final matches unless there is a change in thought by all the stakeholders. After India suffered a huge 209-run defeat against Australia at the Oval, head coach Rahul Dravid said arriving in England at least two weeks earlier and playing some side matches would have been ideal for the team ahead of the big game. However, Shastri did not buy into the idea and put the onus on the players to make a choice.

Three-Match Series For WTC Final? Rohit Sharma's 'Ideal' Idea For ICC Tournament

Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma believes that the World Test Championship (WTC) Final can be a third-match series in the future after India were beaten in the summit clash by Australia at the Oval on Sunday. India lost seven wickets in the first session of Day 5 as Australia registered a brilliant 209-run win. In the aftermath of the match, Rohit was asked about possible changes to the WTC Final format and the India skipper believes that the summit clash of the tournament need not be one game.

WTC Final: Australia Become First Team In Cricket History To Win All Four ICC Titles

Australia beat India by 209 runs to win the World Test Championship final at The Oval on Sunday. India, set a record 444 to win, resumed on 164-3. But they collapsed to 234 all out, losing seven wickets for 70 runs inside 24 overs before lunch on the fifth day. Scott Boland sparked the slump with two wickets in an over, including the prize scalp of Virat Kohli, before off-spinner Nathan Lyon polished off the tail. Victory meant Australia had now captured the one major men's cricket title that had previously eluded them.

IND vs AUS, WTC Final, Day 4: Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane Keep India In Hunt; Rohit Sharma And Co. Need 280 To Beat Australia

Virat Kohli remained undefeated on 44 as India reached 164 for 3 at stumps on fourth day after Australia set a huge 444-run target in the final of the World Test Championship on Saturday. Kohli and first innings hero Ajinkya Rahane (20 batting) added 71 runs for the fourth wicket as India need to score 280 runs in 90 overs on the final day. Shubman Gill (18), skipper Rohit Sharma (43) and Cheteshwar Pujara (27) were the Indian batters dismissed.

"India Would Be Proud Of...": Ravi Shastri Points Out Silver Lining In Team India's Performance At WTC Final

India's Ajinkya Rahane revived his international career with a courageous effort in seaming 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.