Australia could have advantage over India in the World Test Championship final
Why Australia could have advantage over India in the World Test Championship final? The highly anticipated World Test Championship final is just around the corner, pitting two formidable rivals against each other: India and Australia. Set to take place at The Oval next month, this clash of titans promises to be a thrilling contest that cricket fans around the world eagerly await.
As is often the case with such high-stakes matches, predicting the outcome is no easy task. Both teams face their fair share of challenges, including injury concerns and a lack of recent Test match practice. Complicating matters further, many of the players have only been involved in the fast-paced action of the IPL leading up to the one-off Test.
While this may not seem like ideal preparation, it’s worth recalling the opinion of former England batter Ravi Bopara, who believed that transitioning from the IPL to Test cricket actually benefited him. In 2009, Bopara seamlessly moved from the T20 format to a Test series against West Indies, citing that the IPL got his feet moving and put him in a positive frame of mind. His theory was substantiated by his consecutive Test centuries, highlighting the adaptability of modern cricketers who frequently switch between formats.
Therefore, it can be expected that the players, especially the batsmen, will be well-prepared for the Test match. However, it is the bowlers who need to specifically focus on adapting to the longer spells required in the five-day format.
If Australia’s formidable pace trio of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood are available and in form, it gives them a slight advantage. This trio of bowlers is exceptional at any time, but the English conditions in early June should particularly suit their skills. Nevertheless, India’s pace attack, featuring the likes of Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, and Umesh Yadav, is also strong and not far behind the Australian trio in terms of wicket-taking capability.
Mental strength will play a crucial role in this Test match. The team that displays the most resilience and composure is likely to emerge victorious, barring any undue interference from adverse weather conditions. Maintaining a disciplined line and length while under pressure has become imperative in challenging Test series, and a fully fit Australian bowling attack should benefit if the opposition batsmen become overzealous.
However, India’s chances have taken a hit due to the injuries to key players such as Jasprit Bumrah and Rishabh Pant. With these two in the lineup, India would have been outright favorites. Additionally, the unexpected unavailability of all-rounder Hardik Pandya further hampers India’s prospects, as he could have provided the final piece of the jigsaw puzzle.
When it comes to the batting lineups, both teams boast formidable talent. Australia relies heavily on the batting prowess of Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, and Usman Khawaja, while the enigmatic David Warner should not be overlooked. Despite his struggles in English conditions, Warner remains a dangerous player capable of scoring quickly.
India, on the other hand, possesses the formidable trio of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Cheteshwar Pujara, all of whom have enjoyed success in Test cricket. However, they will face a stern challenge from the potent Australian bowling attack.
One player that Australia needs to watch out for is Shubman Gill. Fearless and with a natural ability to score runs, Gill possesses a stroke-making mentality that won’t waver even on such a momentous occasion. If he is allowed to score freely and find the boundaries, he could prove to be a headache for the Australian bowlers.
WHY Australia could have advantage over India in the World Test Championship final
A selection dilemma awaits India with regards to Ajinkya Rahane. Based on the current squad, Rahane is likely to play, relying on his past form against Australia. His presence in the slips as India’s best catcher in that position will undoubtedly be valuable.
India holds an advantage in spin bowling thanks to Ravindra Jadeja’s ability to bat in the top six, which allows them to include the efficient R Ashwin in the lineup. While Nathan Lyon remains a good spinner for Australia, he will be their sole spinning option. However, the conditions in England should not be detrimental to Australia, as all-rounder Cameron Green’s genuine pace is well suited to the conditions.
In conclusion, with the match set to be played under English conditions, the strong Australian pace attack holds a slight advantage. However, as Ravi Bopara demonstrated, the value of IPL preparation for the batsmen should not be underestimated. Ultimately, it will be a battle of skill, mental fortitude, and adaptability that will determine the victor in this highly anticipated World Test Championship final.
