As the highly anticipated ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final approaches, the cricketing world is buzzing with excitement. The clash between India and Australia is set to take place at the Oval from June 7th, and former cricketer Venugopal Rao has made a bold prediction regarding the Indian team’s star batter, Rohit Sharma.
After a stellar performance in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2023, where India triumphed over Australia with a 2-1 series win, Rohit Sharma is determined to maintain his winning momentum. The skipper displayed his class by scoring an impressive 242 runs, including a century, against a formidable Australian bowling attack. His astute captaincy and exceptional field placements also earned him praise.
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This final marks the first time India and Australia will meet in an ICC tournament final since the 2003 ODI World Cup. While India previously competed in the WTC 2019-21 final under the leadership of former captain Virat Kohli, they were outplayed by New Zealand. However, this time, Australia sees an opportunity to defeat India, with batters Steven Smith and Marnus Labuschagne participating in county cricket. Skipper Pat Cummins and left-arm speedster Mitchell Starc opted out of the IPL to focus on the WTC 2021-23 final and Ashes 2023.
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All eyes will also be on Ajinkya Rahane, who is making a comeback to the national Test team after the South Africa Test series in 2021-22. With impressive performances in domestic cricket and the IPL 2023, Rahane has rediscovered his form and regained confidence.
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The challenge for head coach Rahul Dravid and skipper Rohit Sharma lies in selecting the playing 11, particularly considering the potential risk of playing two spinners at the Oval. The inclusion of pacer Shardul Thakur, who was absent in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2023, adds an interesting dimension to the team selection.
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During an interaction with ANI, Venugopal Rao expressed his belief that both teams have an equal chance of winning the final. He lauded India’s bowling attack, considering it the best in the world, with quality bowlers like Mohammed Siraj and Mohammed Shami, who troubled the English batsmen during their previous tour. Rao emphasized India’s adaptability and the positive mindsets of players like Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill.
In defense of Rohit Sharma, Rao dismissed concerns about his IPL form, stating that representing one’s country brings a different level of energy and determination. Rao confidently predicted that Rohit Sharma would excel in the WTC final, citing his century on turning tracks before the IPL. He reminded everyone not to overlook Sharma’s abilities and assured fans that he would rise to the occasion.
