WTC Final 2023, India vs Australia – How prepared is Team India ahead of Oval Test

As the Indian team prepare for the ultimate test, it promises to be an intriguing encounter between the two best teams. The Indian team will be flying to England amid the ongoing IPL 2023 season. It is reported players whose teams won’t take part in the playoffs will take the flight to London earlier than the other players.

With India devoid of an ICC trophy since 2013, it will be a pivotal match for them. As the Indian team prepares for the Australian challenge, today we shall take a look at how Rohit Sharma and his troops are prepared for the one-off Final.

India will take confidence from BGT

The Indian team steamrolled Australia 2-1 in the recently concluded Border Gavaskar Trophy. They took a 2-0 lead in the first Two Tests. Although Australia halved the deficit, Team India held on to a series victory against the Aussies.

They would be taking confidence from that as they prepare for the WTC Final. The conditions will be different and the challenge for India will be to impose themselves in English conditions. India also lost the WTC Final two years ago against New Zealand, and the prior experience can act as a blessing in disguise for them.

Cheteshwar Pujara will be pivotal for Team India

Amidst the IPL frenzy, Cheteshwar Pujara has concentrated on County Cricket in England, perhaps to master himself ahead of the WTC Final. The Indian batter has amassed 545 runs this season in just 5 matches, at a whopping average of 77.86, with the help of 3 centuries.

Pujara is captaining Sussex, who are currently placed 2nd in the Division 2 table. His rich vein of form has been a telling factor and it will help India enormously if Pujara can replicate his form in the WTC Final against the Aussie attack.

Good to be back here at #Hove! ???????? #GOSBTS pic.twitter.com/zvUsdZWski

— Cheteshwar Pujara (@cheteshwar1) May 17, 2023

Injury is a massive concern for Team India

Rishabh Pant, Jasprit Bumrah were already ruled out with injuries long before the squad selection for the WTC Final. Shreyas Iyer’s back issue has ruled him out, while KL Rahul injured his thigh amid IPL 2023 and now won’t take any part in WTC Final after undergoing a surgery.

Umesh Yadav and Jaydev Unadkat are included in the squad but they are also doubtful for the WTC Final. With a plethora of players injured, India will have to deal with the others and it is to be seen how the likes of KS Bharat or Ishan Kishan handle the pressure in England with no prior experience of playing in those conditions.

Ajinkya Rahane’s inclusion in the team will play a big role as the rejuvenated player will be aiming to make the most of his sudden India call-up.

India’s Top Names Need to Fire

The final component India which needs to click is the big names stepping up to the big stage. Captain Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and others will have to play sensibly, whereas the bowling department of Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohammed Siraj and others have to find the correct ploy to extract maximum purchase from the pitch.

WTC Final 2023: How Prepared is Team India?

The injuries undoubtedly have taken India to the back foot. With some key names missing, India will have to play out of their skin to topple Australia. On the other hand, all of the aforementioned four players took next to nothing part in the BGT series. Pant and Bumrah were injured, while KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer were on the fringes in the entire series.

We can definitely say apart from the injuries, Team India still have ample positive things ahead of the match. The superiority over Australia in the last few years is another morale-boosting component for them.

India’s dismal record in England will be a concern but they will take confidence from their recent success in the country in the bilateral series. If the team plays well collectively, India can expect to return to India with an ICC trophy in their hands.