Like chalk and cheese: Ravi Shastri on the difference in situation between the 2021 and 2023 WTC finals
Ravi Shastri who was the Indian team coach in the last World Test Championship final compared the situation of the 2021 and 2023 finals and said they were like chalk and cheese. India were defeated a buoyant New Zealand side last time out and Shastri said that loss “obviously hurts.”
“When you don’t win it, it’s obviously going to hurt. and it should hurt. You are not there just to make the numbers. You are going to play to win and you want to win. But if I look in hindsight, the circumstances of that World Test Championship as opposed to now is chalk and cheese. It was tough times. There was Covid, there was quarantine. When it came to preparation too, it was hard on the players. You are 14 days in isolation and then in a week’s time, you play the game. While now, both teams have had enough time. They have been playing competitive cricket. I think this one will be a really good contest,” Shastri said in the ICC event ‘Afternoon With Test Legends.’
“Match fitness will might come into play. It’s not the number of overs you bowl or just staying in the park for 6 hours. It’s totally different from bowling in the nets. It depends how they practice. On paper if you look at man to man, Australia might have the slight edge but that match fitness will be the key,” he added.
India qualified for the 2023 World Test Championship Final second on the points table with 127 points and 58.8 Points Percentage System (PCT). While they lost the series in South Africa and drew a five-match series in England, India enjoyed a near perfect record at home with wins against New Zealand, Sri Lanka, and Australia and another away series triumph in Bangladesh.
Australia on the other hand, qualified top of the table with wins in all three home series during the 2021/23 cycle including a 4-0 Ashes thumping. Other than this, the Pat Cummins-led side regered a 1-0 in Pakan and a 1-1 draw in Sri Lanka before losing 2-1 in India.
