Questions have been raised over India’s preparation for the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023 final against Australia as most of their players featured in the recently-concluded IPL season.
While India have 13 players in their WTC final squad who took part in IPL 2023, Australia have only four.
Hence, the likes of Ravi Shastri, Ricky Ponting and Wasim Akram recently gave the Aussies a “slight” edge over India for the WTC final.
However, batting legend Sunil Gavaskar has opposed their views by giving the advantage to India. He also dismissed Ponting's claim about the Rohit Sharma-led side feeling fatigued after playing the IPL for two months.
“The interesting thing as far as preparation is concerned is that some of the Australians have done nothing. They haven't been playing any cricket at all. At least, all the Indian guys have been playing very competitive cricket in the IPL. So coming in fresh without any cricket, is that better or is it coming in maybe slightly jaded and slightly tired on the back of an IPL but having played a lot of cricket leading in? So there's lots of factors that could show up through the course of this week," Ponting had said during his recent conversation with Star Sports.
Speaking to India Today, Gavaskar reacted to Ponting's comment, saying: “I will give the edge to India. I don't agree with the fact that the conditions favour Australia. Neither is the fact that some of the Australians have been resting is going to be an advantage. For a big match, you need miles under your feet. And most of the Indian players have done that. Even one player who was not in the IPL, Pujara was playing County Cricket and was scoring centuries for fun. So yes, the Indians are in a better position.”
The 2023 edition of ICC World Test Championship final is slated to get underway on June 7 at the Oval in London.
This is the second successive WTC final for India having played it last time only to lose to New Zealand. On the other hand, Australia played some high quality cricket right through this edition to make their maiden final appearance.
