The World Test Championship (WTC) finals is on the cards and both India and Australia look extremely potent. Both the teams are undergoing rigorous training sessions and are acclimatizing to the conditions in England. Indian all-rounder Axar Patel has spoken about the preparations of India for the WTC finals.
Several people were of the opinion that India would be on the back seat in the finals as they are coming on the back of a completely different format. For close to 2 months, the Indian cricket team was playing the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023.
Axar Patel has now given a massive statement and has said that the preparations had already begun when the IPL was taking place. He said that the Indians were preparing with the red ball during the IPL.
“So even during the IPL, it was discussed that we will bowl with the red ball. We had red balls, so we were using them. You know when and how to play, how much time you have. This mental switch from white ball to red ball is obviously tough, but we have enough time,” said Axar Patel in an interview with ICC.
“The difference is the Dukes ball remains shinier for longer. But during the IPL, we had ordered the ball, so were practising with it and have gotten used to it,” he added.
Axar Patel stressed on the importance of “talent and skill” when quizzed about the drastic change in format.
“As I said, we switch from white ball to red ball. It is a similar switch to go from SG to Dukes, you have the use your talent and skill. You have to execute your plan, your bowling rhythm. Irrespective of the ball, if you bowl a good ball at a good spot, it works,” said the all-rounder.
“So that’s what we’re doing. Since the match is in England, which is different from India, we are planning what lines and lengths will work here. The same thing in practice, we are good to go,” he concluded.
India would be looking to win an ICC title for the first time in 10 years
India had last won an ICC title way back in 2013 when they lifted the ICC Champions Trophy 2013 under the astute tutelage of MS Dhoni. They haven’t been able to win an ICC title ever since.
Under the captaincy of Virat Kohli, India had qualified for the WTC finals in the last edition as well. But they lost to New Zealand by 8 wickets in a rain-affected game.
A win looms large for Rohit Sharma and co. Especially keeping in mind, India’s brilliant track record against Australia in the longest format of the game.
India Squad for WTC finals
Rohit Sharma (captain), Ravichandran Ashwin, KS Bharat, Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja, Virat Kohli, Ishan Kishan, Cheteshwar Pujara, Axar Patel, Ajinkya Rahane, Mohammad Shami, Mohammad Siraj, Shardul Thakur, Jaydev Unadakt, Umesh Yadav.
Standby players: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Mukesh Kumar, Suryakumar Yadav
Also read: WTC 2023: 3 Reasons Why Steve Smith Might Pose As A Threat To India
