India and Australian teams are training hard as the date for the World Test Championship final comes closer. The biggest game in the history of test cricket will see Rohit Sharma and Pat Cummins lead their side in the 2nd ever final for the World Test Championships. The first ever final in 2021 saw the Kane Williamson led New Zealand beat Virat Kohli led team India by 8 wickets to take the crown.
The story so far –
The final of the biggest ever prize in test cricket is set to be hosted by Kia Oval at London from 7th to 11th June. The pitch at London has been a batting beauty and there are also murmurs that spin could take effect. The summer has been glorious this time and even former English skipper Kevin Pietersen had said earlier that batting will be easy during this time of the year.
Vettori feels this Indian player will miss out of the playing XI –
Former New Zealand left arm spinner Daniel Vettori is in the Australian camp as the assistant to Andrew McDonald. Vettori who himself is a spin bowler of repute said that he could see Ravichandran Ashwin missing out of the playing XI for the big game.
Vettori while speaking to the media said “I think Jadeja will play because of the batting he brings to the table and how successful he has been at the number 6 position. Then the question will be around the 4th seamer and the all rounder in Thakur and Ashwin, but they are both pretty good choices. Ashwin, is an incredible bowler and he will be the 1st choice in most teams, and just with their combinations it may lead to him missing selection”
Jadeja and Ashwin’s terrific start to the year –
36 year old Ravichandran Ashwin has been a veteran of 92 test matches for India. in the year 2023 in the 4 tests he has played so far, Ashwin has picked 25 wickets with 2 5 wicket hauls. The right arm off spinner currently has 474 test wickets and is well on his way to get to the 500 mark this year.
Jadeja too has been in terrific form with the bat and ball this year. Coming off his exploits in the IPL final, the 34 year old will want to continue the same in the test format. In the 4 tests this year, Jadeja has picked 22 wickets with 2 five wickets and 1 ten wicket haul. With the bat Jadeja has scored 135 runs with an average of 27 and the last time he played a test in England he scored a memorable ton.
Vettori on the state of Oval wicket –
Finally speaking about the expected wicket at the Kia Oval, Daniel Vettori made a huge statement. The former Kiwi skipper said “we expect the Oval to behave how it behaves. It is a good wicket, but it can offer a lot to the spinner as the game goes on”
The Indian fans will waiting with bated breath to see if India goes in with the spin duo of Ashwin and Jadeja in the finals. If the wicket does offer spin, then the two can create lots of problems for the Australian team and perhaps win the silverware for India.