WTC final news

In the crucial WTC final against Australia, Rahane's impact was immediate and significant. His resilient innings of 89 in the first innings saved India from an embarrassing situation.

While adding that playing county matches in the lead-up to WTC final will prove to be beneficial for the three above-mentioned batters, Gillespie doesn't see any problems with rest of the players making adjustments in playing from T20s to Tests.

The selection dilemma for India lies in choosing between a pace all-rounder in Shardul Thakur or a spin all-rounder in Ravichandran Ashwin. Kaif mentioned that if the conditions at The Oval favor the spinners, he would opt for Ashwin.

Another decision India needs to make is regarding their wicketkeeper for the crucial WTC final, choosing between KS Bharat and Ishan Kishan.

The upcoming World Test Championship (WTC) Final between India and Australia has garnered significant attention and anticipation among cricket enthusiasts worldwide. However, the unfortunate reality is that several key Indian players will be absent from the much-awaited clash due to injuries. From Jasprit Bumrah to Shreyas Iyer, a number of prominent Team India cricketers have been sidelined, dealing a blow to the team's prospects. In this pictorial feature, we take a closer look at five such players who will be dearly missed in the WTC Final 2023 against Australia. These players' absence will undoubtedly have a significant impact on the team dynamics and the strategies employed by India. Let us delve into the details and gain insight into the challenges faced by the Indian team as they strive to conquer the summit of Test cricket against a formidable Australian side.

Vettori acknowledged Ashwin's exceptional skills as a bowler, stating that he would be a first-choice player in most teams.

Gavaskar also highlighted the significance of Ajinkya Rahane's experience in English conditions.

India recently regained the Border-Gavaskar Trophy with an emphatic 2-1 victory over Australia in the four-match Test series on home soil.

With the absence of Shreyas Iyer and Pant, the Indian middle order has taken a hit, and the onus will be on players like Ajinkya Rahane and KL Rahul to deliver.

Iyer's injury is an impinged nerve caused by a bulged disc in the lower back area on the right side.

Sehwag explained his aggressive style of batting, stating that it originated from his experience playing tennis ball cricket, which he brought into international cricket.

Shubman Gill is now India’s all-format player, and with the performances he has shown, he will keep his place.

Both World No 1 Australia and World No 2 India have secured their spots in the WTC Final. Sharma has already announced that Indian bowlers will train with Dukes ball during the IPL.

Sunil Gavaskar, the Indian cricket legend, has recommended that KL Rahul should be considered for the wicketkeeper position in the upcoming match.

IPL's league stage ends on May 21, which is 16 days before the final, and players from eliminated franchises could be sent to the UK right after that to help them become familiar with the playing conditions.

The WTC final will be held at London's famous Kennington Oval Stadium, where India will face Australia in the second edition of the championship.

Australia’s best possible finish will be to draw with India 2-2, finish with 144 points and PCT of 63.15.

Karthik, who has played 26 Tests for India, also feels that the batters have to find a way to counter the threat posed by premier Australia off-spinner Nathan Lyon.

Australia are in the box seat to qualify for their first World Test Championship final, with Pat Cummins' side currently holding a healthy lead at the top of the standings.

Pakistan will now play New Zealand at home in a two-match series. If Pakistan can shut out the Kane Williamson-led team, they will finish second overall in the 2021/23 WTC cycle with a 47.62% mark, ahead of India.