By Naveen Singh

The World Test Championship (WTC) is the ultimate battle of cricket’s traditional format, Test cricket. Launched on August 1, 2019, the championship aims to showcase the best version of Test cricket, which has faced declining interest and relevance in recent times.

The inaugural edition of the WTC lasted for two years, from 2019 to 2021, and saw nine Test-playing nations compete in a series of bilateral Test series. The championship was won by New Zealand, which defeated India in the finals held at the Rose Bowl in Southampton, England.

The second edition of the WTC started in 2021 and now the 2023 World Test Championship final will be played between India and Australia at the iconic Kia Oval Ground in London, England.

India and Australia are considered as two of the strongest cricket teams in the world and their clashes on the field is something that is always highly anticipated.

Australia is currently second in the test rankings, while India holds the first position. The India Vs Australia WTC Final will also be a chance for some of the world’s best cricketers to flaunt their skills.

Apart from current Indian team captain Rohit Sharma, former captain Virat Kohli, Australia’s captain Pat Cummins and his predecessor Steve Smith, looking at the recent performances Ajinkya Rahane, Ravindra Jadeja, Shubman Gill and David Warner are expected to be the key players in the finals for their respective teams.

One of the key factors in the success of both teams will depend on their ability to adapt to the conditions of England. However, both teams have proven their ability to win in challenging conditions so far and now it will be interesting to see how they perform against each other.

Overall, India vs Australia World Test Championship Final promises to be a thrilling encounter between two of the most talented and competitive cricket teams in the world. The fans can expect to witness some epic battles on the field as each team seeks to prove its dominance and win the final of the World Test Championship 2023.

Months ahead of ICC Cricket World Cup, tensions have already started between the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).  

International Cricket Council (ICC) Chairman Greg Barclay and CEO Geoff Allardice are in Lahore, Pakistan to get assurance from the PCC on Pakistan team’s participation in the ICC Cricket World Cup due to be held in October-November.

The ICC seek a confirmation from the PCB that it will not push for implementing a hybrid model for its matches in the World Cup in India.

The development comes after PCB Chief Najam Sethi stated that the Pakistan Cricket team will not travel to India if the Indian team prevents itself from visiting Pakistan for the preceding Asia Cup.

The BCCI is concerned if the hybrid model proposed by the PCB chief is accepted for the Asia Cup, the PCB might also ask the ICC to implement the hybrid model for the ICC World Cup as well.

Sethi said if the Pakistan government doesn’t approve on sending the team to India, the PCB would seek ICC to hold the matches at a neutral venue.

If this situation arrives, it would be a big setback for the both the ICC and the BCCI as India vs Pakistan match happening in India witnesses a completely packed stadium, a successful match for the Indian cricket board and International cricket council economically, whereas if it would be held in any other country it would not be able to attract a large amount of crowd in the stadium, primary reason why BCCI Secretary Jay Shah was reluctant to accept the hybrid model for the Asia Cup.

The PCB Chief has also stated that if the Asia Cup is moved to a neutral country from Pakistan, then the Pakistan Team will not participate in the Asia Cup

The ICC is trying to bring the two nations into board together on the matter.

Master blaster Sachin Tendulkar was all praise for Gujarat Titans star Shubman Gill following his match-winning knock against Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League(IPL)2023 Qualifier 2.

Gill was in excellent form as he scored 129 off 60 deliveries with 7 fours and 10 sixes. Tendulkar tweeted Gill’s performance in IPL 2023 will not be forgotten since he had notched two tons which were against top bowling teams.

The Master Blaster also noted that Shubman Gill had a calm demeanour but that didn’t keep him quiet in his pursuit of runs and frenetic running to convert singles into doubles and the twos into threes,

Former India fast bowler Atul Wassan reacted to the tweet. He said Gill will swallow the iconic trio of Kohli, Rohit and Dhoni  as he grows as a cricketer. Wassan noted that Chennai Super Kings talisman MS Dhoni would be the next to feel the heat from Gill’s Gujarat Titans as they face each other in the final of IPL 2023. Being a grounded player, Gill was not losing focus as many others have after sparkling in a few matches. Another person said that God had given his verdict. Another user said that Gill was a future star. Another user said that Shubman Gill was unstoppable and unforgettable in IPL 2023.

Another user said that Shubman was a world class player. Sachin further added Shubman Gill’s exceptional acceleration led the Gujarat Titans to a total of 233 runs in the first innings. Tendulkar noted Shubman doesn’t waste time and seizes the match and leaves a significant mark on the game.

Shubman Gill is in his prime form and has hit three centuries and two fifties. This season he has played 16 games and scored a massive 851 runs.