away from adrenaline-spiked nights of Recent Indian Premier LeagueWell, it’s time for Rohit Sharma’s men to get together in their Test whites. The Twenty20 bash may have its share of excitement, but for connoisseurs, five days of Test cricket is the ultimate yardstick to judge both the singular – player – and the collective – team. And cannot be bigger than the World Test Championship (WTC) title as a prize proposition India to face Australia in the final Starting on Wednesday at the Oval in London. India will not lack support in the part of London where a large number of Asians, Africans and West Indians live. It might be an away game but Rohit’s men will feel like home watching the stands, which will have a big Indian presence. India prospered in their recent exchanges against Australia, be it at home or Down Under, in what is proving to be a long rivalry, but the summit clash is loaded with added pressure and both units equally stepping on the turf Will keep It is a grim reality that India last won ICC silverware during the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy in England and it is a historical void that Rohit & Co. will feel the need to address.
In the last WTC cycle that culminated in the 2021 final in Southampton, India lost to Kane Williamson’s New Zealand. For the senior team of Captain Rohit Virat Kohli, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, the Oval contest offers another shot at ICC glory. India will miss the injured duo of Jasprit Bumrah and Rishabh Pant, but in Shubman Gill there is one batsman who is destined for greatness. And the old Indian batting practice against the Australian fast bowlers will be back in vogue. India also have a potent seam attack and it will be interesting to see whether Rohit goes ahead with both the spinners, Ashwin and Jadeja, or chooses just one. Oval surfaces like Sydney’s SCG might have a subcontinental flavour, but under whimsical English skies and with just a hint of grass on the pitch, a tussle could throw up many interesting angles. Rival captain Pat Cummins leads a formidable pace attack, with Mitchell Starc offering left-arm dimension. He also has Steve Smith, David Warner and Marnus Labuschagne as his batting partners. With the Ashes series against England looming ahead, Cummins will be hoping the WTC final provides a buzz, while India, always consistent, are equally keen to prove they can maintain their prowess in the climax.