With the final match of the World Test Championship (WTC) between India and Australia from Wednesday (June 7), the world will get a new Test boss. The Indian team had to face defeat to New Zealand in the last final and now captain Rohit Sharma's team has a chance to lift the Test Championship mace again. Along with this, India's eyes will also be on ending the drought of the last 10 years of the ICC title. India last won the ICC title in 2013 in the form of the Champions Trophy in England.
Lost in the final three times
After winning the Champions Trophy title, India has lost thrice in the finals of ICC tournaments while the team has lost in the semi-finals four times. The team was out of the preliminary round of the 2021 T20 World Cup. Out of the six series in the current cycle, India lost the only series in South Africa after which Virat Kohli stepped down as captain. Rohit Sharma got the responsibility of leading the team.
WTC FINAL IND vs AUS Preview Australia vs India Kennington Oval London Squad team news
The better option for a fourth fast bowler
India played two spinners ignoring the conditions against New Zealand in Southampton two years ago, but the decision backfired. India would be keen to play the spin duo of Ashwin and Jadeja but it is summer in England and a fourth pacer is a better option on fresh pitches. Shami and Siraj will play in the playing XI while Umesh and Shardul will challenge as the third bowler.
It is necessary to solve the mystery of the wicketkeeper
It is also important for the Indian team management to solve the mystery of the wicketkeeper. It is a difficult decision to include either Ishan Kishan or KS Bharat in the playing XI as a wicket-keeper.
WTC FINAL IND vs AUS Preview Australia vs India Kennington Oval London Squad team news
Hope for the best from Pujara
Indian team players will play in red-ball cricket by playing IPL-16 T-20 league which will not be easy for them. Although the team's experienced batsman Cheteshwar Pujara was already playing county cricket in England. He is familiar with the conditions in England at present and has done well in the county. Now there is hope of good from him in the final as well.
Rahane is desperate after 18 months
Where is this match going to be the 'Ultimate Test' Ajinkya Rahane is returning to the Test team after 18 months. He had a great run in the IPL recently and would like to continue his good form. But it will not be easy for him to play in the red ball Test format from T20 cricket.
WTC FINAL IND vs AUS Preview Australia vs India Kennington Oval London Squad team news
Opening pair and Kohli's test
In this final, along with the opening pair of Rohit Sharma and young batsman Shubman Gill, experienced batsman Virat Kohli will also be tested. The responsibility of getting the team off to a good start will be on the shoulders of Rohit and Gill, while the team is expected to get big innings from Kohli.
Smith a threat to India
Indian bowlers will have to dismiss experienced batsman Steve Smith early if captain Pat Cummins' team has to stop Australia from scoring big. Smith has been in good form at the Oval and averages over 100. At the same time, if Nathan Lyon can trouble the Indian batsmen, then the all-around role of Cameron Green, whose performance in IPL-16 was excellent, will be important. It would be a mistake for the team to take Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labushane, and David Warner lightly.
WTC FINAL IND vs AUS Preview Australia vs India Kennington Oval London Squad team news
Tough challenge to play Mitchell Starc
It will be a challenge for the Indian batsmen to play Australia's left-arm fast bowler Mitchell Starc in the pace conditions of The Oval. Although the Indians had practiced against Starc with Jaydev Unadkat, the local left-arm fast bowler.
Both the teams are as follows:
Australia: Pat Cummins (captain), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Josh Inglis, Todd Murphy, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, David Warner.
Reserves: Mitchell Marsh and Matt Renshaw.
India: Rohit Sharma (captain), Ravichandran Ashwin, KS Bharat, Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja, Virat Kohli, Ishan Kishan, Cheteshwar Pujara, Axar Patel, Ajinkya Rahane, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Shardul Thakur, Jaydev Unadkat, and Umesh Yadav.
Reserves: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Mukesh Kumar, and Suryakumar Yadav.
