WTC Final: Australia are clear favourites to win WTC Final, Ravi Shastri refuses: In the recent turn of events ahead of the ICC WTC Final, cricket pundits, all across the world, have begun to predict the winner of the marquee clash between India and Australia, which is slated to unfold on June 7. While mostly the prediction has been poised towards both sides, some experts reckon Australia to be the clear favourite to win the WTC Final because the contest is in England.
Notably, the nature of the surface in England somewhat resembles to what Australia produces, but with considerably less bounce. The ball moves around for a long time in England and the pacers who can swing both ways will generally have a good outing.
India and Australia, both, have world-class players who are equally equipped to tackle the moving deliveries. The two sides also possess bowlers who can trouble the batters with swinging deliveries.
Talking about India’s position in England, it’s worth noting that India nearly defeated England in their own home ground back in 2021. India were 2-1 ahead in the series, but the fourth test of the series was abandoned due to extraordinary circumstances in the Indian camp.
Former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri, too, believes that once the game begins, it will decide the winner of the contest and there are no clear winners in the one-off tests as he rubbished the reports claiming Australia to be the clear winners because the match is in England.
“Everyone’s saying Australia are clear favourites because we are playing in England. But it’s a one-off Test, just one bad day can ruin your chances. Australia also needs to be very careful,” Ravi Shastri said.
Shastri further added that luck plays a huge role in the game which certainly hasn’t gone India’s way in the last few years. Otherwise, the Indian team is skilled enough to win any ICC title.
“You have to compete. Sometimes, you need a little bit of luck going your way as well. I won’t say we didn’t play good cricket. We have played very good cricket. The rub of the green hasn’t quite gone their way. I always say this team is good enough to win an ICC trophy. When I was there, I used to say the same thing… especially in the last 3-4 years, I thought the team was good enough to win an ICC trophy. Those players are still there,” the former Indian head coach added.
India and Australia are building up nicely for the ICC WTC Final which is just four days away. The summit clash is set to be held in London’s Kennington Oval, the venue which hasn’t served well enough to both India and Australia in the past. The records indicate poor records of both the sides at this venue.
Meanwhile, the two squads have already begun their final preparations for the coveted clash. While team India are training in Sussex, Australia are in Kent’s out-ground in South London.
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