WTC 2023 Final Qualifying Scenario: Australia has qualified for the WTC final following a convincing 9-wicket win against Team India in Indore. Two teams are competing for the last spot in the tournament. One of the four games between South Africa and the West Indies has no chance. This moves the attention to the outcome of the Sri Lanka vs. New Zealand series, which begins on the same day as the final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.&nbsp;



<h2>Top Spot for WTC 2023:</h2>



Australia was the first team to secure their place in the Test series against India. Nevertheless, two crushing losses, one by an innings and 123 runs in the first game and one by six wickets in the second, saw Team India emerge as the number one team to clinch the deal. The tables have now flipped, with Australia dominating the third game.



With 68.52 PCT, Australia has risen to the top of the WTC points standings. India is in second place with 60.29 PCT, but they haven't made it to the final yet. Sri Lanka, who is in third place, is a threat to India's qualification.



<h2>India vs. Australia, Fourth Test Match:</h2>



After three dust bowls, the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad was finally a batting paradise for the India-Australia series. However, the change may not help the hosts much since they are trying to qualify for the finals of the World Test Championship (WTC). Before the series finals, Team India head coach Rahul Dravid said that the choice to play on turners and result-oriented surfaces was made with the WTC final qualifying in mind. Still, when the ICC said that the pitch in Indore was bad, a batting paradise was set up. Australia took advantage of this when they won the toss and scored 480 runs in the first innings. Usman Khawaja scored 180 runs, and Cameron Green scored 114 runs to reach his maiden Test century.



<h2>India Scenario for WTC 2023 Final:</h2>



The type of surface and Australia's talent may jeopardize India's prospects, considering that India must win the current match if they do not want to rely on other outcomes to make the WTC 2023 final. If India wins the current test, their points percentage (PCT) will increase from 60.29 to 62.5. If they lose, the PCT will fall to 56.9. If the game is a tie, India's PCT will be 58.7.



As a consequence, if Sri Lanka wins the match against New Zealand, India's destiny is out of their control. Sri Lanka leads New Zealand by 65 runs (2nd innings) in the series opener in Christchurch and should easily defeat the Kiwis in the next Test match. Sri Lanka's PCT is now at 53.33. If Sri Lanka wins the first game of the series, their PCT will jump to 57.58. Nevertheless, in order for Sri Lanka to qualify for the WTC final, they must win both Test matches since only their PCT will reach 61.1.



Sri Lanka's hopes would collapse if they failed to win even one of the two matches against New Zealand. Sri Lanka's PCT will be 52.77 if they win one and lose the other. If they win one match and tie the other, their PCT will be 55.55. As a result, even if India loses the Ahmedabad Test (or the game is drawn), they will still have a chance to qualify for the final.



<h2>WTC 2021-23 Final Scenarios:</h2>



For Australia vs. India-



India to win the 4th Test, or Sri Lanka to lose or draw one Test match vs. New Zealand.



For Australia vs. Sri Lanka-



Sri Lanka has to defeat New Zealand by 2-0, or India will lose the fourth Test.



Read this: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/ind-vs-aus-india-is-already-in-icc-wtc-final-says-sanjay-manjrekar/" target="_blank" data-type="post" data-id="104135" rel="noreferrer noopener">IND vs AUS: India is already in ICC WTC Final says Sanjay Manjrekar</a>

WTC 2023 Final Qualifying Scenario: What Happens If India Wins Or Loses In The Fourth Test Against Australia?

wtc-2023-final-qualifying-scenario-what-happens-if-india-wins-or-loses-in-the-fourth-test-against-australia

WTC Final: We are left with just two weeks for one of the most-awaited matches of the year, the World Test Championship Final 2023. After two months of Indian Premier League (IPL) action, Indian players will travel to England for the 2023 ICC WTC Finals clash against Australia.



India and Australia will be playing in a Test match at a neutral venue for the very first time in the history of Test Cricket. India and Australia have met 106 times in Test Matches in the past. Australia have won 44 times, compared to India's 32 victories. In contrast, Australia have won six times and India have won eight times in the last ten years.



Both teams have officially declared their squads for the 2023 WTC Final. India picked a 15-men squad, and these players will make up the final playing 11. Australia have chosen 17 players for the main event, but only 15 of them will go to England.



Jasprit Bumrah, Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, and Shreyas Iyer are some top players missing from the team. India will definitely miss the services of Rishabh Pant most importantly as he provides strong stability and an attacking mindset in batting and world-class wicketkeeping for the team.



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India have named their 15-member squad for the event and this post will cover India's Strongest Predicted Playing 11 for World Test Championship Final 2021-23.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Team India Squad for WTC Final 2023</h2>



Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, KS Bharat, Ishan Kishan, R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Umesh Yadav, Jaydev Unadkat Standby players: Ruturaj Gaikwad, Suryakumar Yadav, Mukesh Kumar.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">India's Strongest Predicted Playing 11 for WTC Final</h2>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Batting</h3>



1- Rohit Sharma



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="http://www.icccricketschedule.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Rohit-Sharma-Test-min.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-91174" /></figure>



 In the batting department, the skipper will be expected to take charge and oppose a deadly Australian new-ball attack that includes veterans like Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood. When India last toured England in 2021?2022, Rohit had a successful trip, amassing 368 runs in 4 Test matches at an average of 52.57.



2- Shubman Gill



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="http://www.icccricketschedule.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Shubman-Gill-1-1.jpg" alt="Shubman Gill explains the clear-cut difference in approach of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma" class="wp-image-23430" /></figure>



 In recent times, Shubman Gill has been an exceptional find for India, especially in red-ball cricket. Gill sealed the opening berth in the WTC final with a brilliant century in the fourth test of the Border Gavaskar Trophy.



Although still in the early stages of his Test career, Gill has already demonstrated a great deal of potential by amassing 890 runs in 15 Tests, including two centuries. Though his current statistics in England show 57 runs in 2 Tests at 14.25, he will expect to improve upon them.



3- Cheteshwar Pujara



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="http://www.icccricketschedule.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Cheteshwar-Pujara-Test-1.jpg" alt="Cheteshwar Pujara to play for Sussex in County Championship 2022" class="wp-image-86736" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Getty Images</figcaption></figure>



India's batting lineup will be strengthened by Cheteshwar Pujara in the major matchup against the formidable Australians. His expertise and skills will be crucial if the team is to successfully lift the renowned WTC mace. He has played in 102 international Test matches over the course of more than 12 years, scoring 7154 runs in 174 innings, including 19 hundreds and 35 fifty-sixes.



4- Virat Kohli



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="http://www.icccricketschedule.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Virat-Kohli-test-century-1.jpg" alt="Virat Kohli?s big hundred in the test will come soon says head coach Rahul Dravid" class="wp-image-82418" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image Source: Cricket Australia</figcaption></figure>



Virat Kohli is expected to put on another masterful performance against Australia in the WTC final, therefore this choice seemed a must for India. During the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Kohli exploded back into form in Test cricket with a top-tier century during the Ahmedabad Test.



With 1979 runs in 24 Tests against Australia, including 8 tonnes, Kohli has an impressive record in Test cricket. In 16 games during the current World Test Championship cycle, Kohli has amassed 869 runs. His recent IPL form was on top of the tiers as well.



5- Ajinkya Rahane



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="http://www.icccricketschedule.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/IMG_7966.jpg" alt="Ajinkya Rahane" class="wp-image-108175" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Ajinkya Rahane </figcaption></figure>



The selectors trusted veteran Ajinkya Rahane to stabilise the team's middle order as Shreyas Iyer won't be available for the WTC final encounter. After almost 16 months, the veteran competitor could return to the international circuit. He is doing a fantastic job for his team, Chennai Super Kings (CSK), in the current IPL. He led Mumbai in the 2022?23 Ranji Trophy and amassed 634 runs in 11 innings across seven games.



6- KS Bharat



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="http://www.icccricketschedule.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/pjimage-2021-11-28t071600.261-1.jpg" alt="WTC Final: India's Strongest Predicted Playing 11 for World Test Championship Final 2021-23" class="wp-image-113777" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">KS Bharat</figcaption></figure>



In absence of Rishabh Pant, KS Bharat should wear the wicketkeeping gloves. Ishan Kishan is another option available there but technically and as per game awareness, KS Bharat is a better option in test cricket. Bharat has so far amassed 101 runs in six innings in four games, with his best total coming against Australia in Ahmedabad at 44. Although the 29-year-old is undoubtedly newly introduced to the international circuit, his extensive first-class cricket experience will enable him to perform at his very best in the high-stakes game.



7- Ravindra Jadega



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="http://www.icccricketschedule.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Jadeja-1.jpg" alt="IND vs AUS WTC Final" class="wp-image-102650" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Ravindra Jadeja (BCCI) </figcaption></figure>



In Test cricket, Ravindra Jadeja has developed into one of the top all-rounders, and he will be an assured selection for the Indian XI. Jadeja, who has established himself as a prominent member of India's lineup, scored a Test century during India's most recent tour to England. He, being the only left-handed batter in India's top seven, will also be of extreme significance.



8- Ravi Ashwin



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="http://www.icccricketschedule.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/R-Ashwin-1.jpg" alt="IND vs AUS: Usman Khawaja reckons R Ashwin is a &quot;gun&quot; bowler and handling him in India vs Australia test series would be key" class="wp-image-102041" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image Source: Twitter</figcaption></figure>



The magical Ravichandran Ashwin will be a definite choice of the captain and the team management. The WTC final will be played at the Ovals, so playing with two spinner might not sound well but Jadeja and Ashwin, both can be evenly contribute with bat as well. Ashwin has 5 test centuries and 13 half centuries with bat in hand while he becomes lethal with ball in his hand against the Aussies. In 22 Test matches against Australia, he has taken 114 wicket alone.



9- Mohammad Shami



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="http://www.icccricketschedule.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Mohammed-Shami-1024x768.jpg" alt="India vs Australia: Mohd. Shami says he is Comfortable and in Right Zone post IPL" class="wp-image-21704" /></figure>



In Jasprit Bumrah's absence, Mohammad Shami will handle the new ball and lead the assault in the upcoming WTC Final. Shami is a seasoned member of the Indian team with a tonne of experience in England and has played in 13 Tests and taken 38 wickets. Shami has also performed admirably throughout this World Test Championship cycle, taking 41 wickets in 12 matches.



10- Umesh Yadav



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="http://www.icccricketschedule.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Umesh-Yadav-1-1024x576.jpg" alt="Ajinkya Rahane" class="wp-image-80864" /></figure>



Whenever there is a test match in England, put the name Umesh Yadav there and he will definitely deliver each and every time. Umesh Yadav will serve as the Indian pace attack's centrepiece in the grand WTC final. With his skill set, the speedster is capable of deceiving the Australian batsmen. In 56 Test matches over the course of his 12-year career, he has taken 168 wickets, including his 10/133 career high.



11- Mohammad Siraj



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="http://www.icccricketschedule.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Mohammad-Siraj-1.jpg" alt="India vs New Zealand: Mohammad Siraj looks more assured than before, growing in confidence: Zaheer Khan" class="wp-image-81450" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Pic/AFP</figcaption></figure>



Since making his debut in Australia, Siraj has developed tremendously and has established himself as a key component of the current Indian pace attack. With five Test matches and 18 wickets in England, he has a respectable resume there. He may end up being the most efficient bowler in the Indian team at The Oval as of his propensity for pitching the ball up and swinging it late.



READ: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/team-india-to-wear-adidas-jersey-in-icc-wtc-2023-final-for-the-first-time/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Team India to wear Adidas Jersey in ICC WTC 2023 Final for the First Time.</a>



For More Check the Official Site:?<a href="https://www.bcci.tv/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BCCI</a>

WTC Final: India's Strongest Predicted Playing 11 for World Test Championship Final 2021-23

wtc-final-indias-strongest-predicted-playing-11-for-world-test-championship-final-2021-23

ICC Confirms WTC Final IND vs AUS Will be Played By Dukes Balls: After yet another Indian Premier League (IPL) season concluded, attention is now turning to the ICC World Test Championship between India and Australia, which will begin on June 7 at the Oval in London. Amid the Preparation for the ICC WTC final, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has taken a decision regarding the balls to be used in the summit clash.



<h5 class="wp-block-heading">Dukes ball to be used in ICC WTC FINAL IND vs AUS</h5>



ICC has confirmed that DUKES balls will be used in the ICC WTC Final IND vs AUS. This decision presents both sides with extra challenges as they must adjust to the special qualities and challenges posed by the Dukes' ball. One of the most historical pieces of equipment used in cricket is the dukes' ball. It has roots that stretch back more than 250 years, to the 1760s.



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For both India and Australia, the Dukes ball will present a challenge. The Dukes ball is delicately hand-stitched, in contrast to the Kookaburra ball, which is mostly machine-stitched. The thread on the surface of the ball becomes more noticeable and durable as a result of the hand-stitching technique. As a result, the Dukes ball is recognized for its improved ability to swing, making it harder for batters to score runs.



Axar Patel, an all-rounder of India, disclosed that the Indian spinners participating in the WTC Final had been practicing with the Dukes ball throughout the IPL, so they would have had no issues adjusting to it.



Although the adjustment from playing T20s to the longest version of the game is difficult, Axar Patel feels that using the red ball during the IPL would help when facing Australia in the World Test Championship final.



We knew about this before the start of the IPL. So even during the IPL, it was discussed that we will bowl with the red ball. The difference is the Dukes ball remains shinier for longer. But during the IPL, we had ordered the ball, so we're practicing with it and have gotten used to it,? the India star Axar Patel recently told ICC.



The Indian squad, who played in the IPL in the blazing heat, will also need to swiftly adjust to the slightly colder climate in England.



?We came after playing IPL, where it was 40-45 degrees in India. After that, it feels great here. We have taken out our winter clothes and are roaming around wearing jumpers. It?s also a bit windy. Whenever we come to the UK, we enjoy the weather. It remains a little cool, there is no heat,? he concluded.



READ: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/wtc-final-2023-indian-bowling-lineup-is-still-a-mystery-for-australia-says-australian-assistant-coach-daniel-vettori/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">WTC Final 2023: Indian Bowling lineup is still a mystery for Australia says Australian Assistant Coach Daniel Vettori</a>



For More Check the Official Site:?<a href="https://www.icc-cricket.com/homepage" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ICC</a>

ICC Confirms WTC Final IND vs AUS Will be Played By Dukes Balls | WTC 2023 Final

icc-confirms-wtc-final-ind-vs-aus-will-be-played-by-dukes-balls-wtc-2023-final

WTC 2023: Three Indians in Australia's WTC Team of the Tournament: Cricket Australia have released a post naming the Team Of The Tournament of World Test Championship 2021-23 cycle. There are three Indians in Australia's WTC Team of the Tournament.



The team consists of 1 Pakistani batter (Babar Azam), three Australian Players (Usman Khawaja, Travis Head, and Pat Cummins), one Sri Lankan opener Dimuth Karunaratne, two Englishmen (Joe Root and James Anderson), and lastly three big Indian names over there: Ravindra Jadeja, Rishabh Pant, and Ravi Chandran Ashwin.



The second edition of the World Test Championship(WTC 2023) is now heading to its conclusion after two years marked by historic tours, broken records, and the introduction of "Bazball." All of the preliminary sparrings has been over; the WTC 2023 final, between Australia and India, will take place on June 7 in London.



The three Indian names in the Team of the Tournament of WTC 2023 are the pillars of lower middle order batting and bowling as well. Rishabh Pant, the renowned wicketkeeper, though failed to shine in shorter formats, has made his name in the biggest format of the game. 



The spin pair of India, R Ashwin, and R Jadeja, is arguably the best all-rounder pair in the red ball format right now. This pair solidifies the lower-order batting and can pick plenty of wickets on any given surface.



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Down Below are the statistical details per member of Australia's WTC team of the tournament for the WTC 2023 session:



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">WTC 2023 Australia's Team Of the Tournament </h2>



<h5 class="wp-block-heading">1- Usman Khawaja</h5>



Matches: 16 Runs: 1,608 Average: 69.91 Strike rate: 50.40 100s: 6 | 50s: 7 Highest score: 195*



<h5 class="wp-block-heading">2- Dimuth Karunaratne</h5>



Match: 12 Runs: 1,054 Average: 47.90 Strike Rate: 51.92 100s: 2 | 50s: 8 Highest Score: 147



<h5 class="wp-block-heading">3- Babar Azam</h5>



Match: 14 Runs: 1,527 Average: 61.08 Strike Rate: 53.15 100s: 2 | 50s: 8 Highest Score: 196



<h5 class="wp-block-heading">4- Joe Root</h5>



Match: 22 Runs: 1,915 Average: 53.19 Strike Rate: 60.81 100s: 8 | 50s: 6 Highest Score: 180*



<h5 class="wp-block-heading">5- Travis Head</h5>



Match: 17 Runs: 1,208 Average: 52.52 Strike Rate: 80.69 100s: 3 | 50s: 6 Highest Score: 175*



<h5 class="wp-block-heading">6- Ravindra Jadeja</h5>



Match: 12 Runs: 673 Average: 37.38 Strike Rate: 48.10 100s: 2 | 50s: 3 Highest Score: 175*



Wickets- 43 Bowling AVG- 23.23 Economy- 2.40 SR-57.8 10 Wkt in Match: 1 5 Wkts: 3 BBF- 7-42



<h5 class="wp-block-heading">7- Rishabh Pant</h5>



Match: 12 Runs: 868 Average: 43.40 Strike Rate: 80.81 100s: 2 | 50s: 5 Highest Score: 146 Catches: 44 Stumpings: 6



<h5 class="wp-block-heading">8-Ravi Chandran Ashwin</h5>



Match: 13 Runs: 444 Average: 23.36 Strike Rate: 58.42 100s: 0 | 50s: 2 Highest Score: 61



Wickets- 61 Bowling AVG- 19.67 Economy- 2.48 SR-47.8 5 Wkts: 2 BBF- 6-91



<h5 class="wp-block-heading">9- Pat Cummins</h5>



Match: 15 Wickets- 53 Bowling AVG- 21.22 Economy- 2.68 SR-47.3 5 Wkts: 3 BBF- 5-38



<h5 class="wp-block-heading">10- Kagiso Rabada</h5>



Match: 13 Wickets- 67 Bowling AVG- 21.05 Economy- 3.63 SR- 34.8 5 Wkts: 3 BBF- 6-50



<h5 class="wp-block-heading">11- James Anderson</h5>



Match: 15 Wickets- 58 Bowling AVG- 20.37 Economy- 2.27 SR- 53.7 5 Wkts: 2 BBF- 5-60



READ:<a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/ashes-2023-england-announce-16-member-squad-for-first-two-test-against-australia/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Ashes 2023: England announce 16-member squad for first two Test against Australia</a>



Head to?Cricket Australia Official Website?for more details

WTC 2023: Three Indians in Australia's WTC Team of the Tournament! Check Out Full Details

wtc-2023-three-indians-in-australias-wtc-team-of-the-tournament-check-out-full-details

The Oval Pitch Report, IND vs AUS WTC Final: After 2 years of effort and industriousness, India and Australia are all set to battle in the grand finale of the ICC World Test Championship 2021-23. The two heavyweights, India and Australia, will square off in the WTC final from June 7 to June 11 on The Oval, London(England).



India's victory against Pat Cummins' Australia in a 2-1 home series gave Rohit Sharma's team another appearance in the WTC Final for the second time in a row. Australia had also earned a spot in the Ultimate Test by topping the WTC Points table during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2023 earlier this year.



India will face Australia for the first time in a neutral venue in the test format. India had a pretty decent series a year ago in the English condition. Last time when India played a test in the Oval against England, India won it by 157 runs. Rohit Sharma smacked beautiful hundred and 27 runs and then Captain Virat got 94 runs off his bat. 



But this time around, the challenge is going to be different as the team dynamics and conditions have changed. First WTC final for Rohit Sharma, Green Top, No Jaspreet Bomrah, No Rishabh Pant, and comparatively a weaker middle order.



<div class="wp-block-rank-math-toc-block" id="rank-math-toc"><nav><ul><li class=""><a href="#the-oval-pitch-report">The Oval Pitch Report</a></li><li class=""><a href="#the-oval-london-test-stats-and-records">The Oval, London Test Stats and Records</a></li><li class=""><a href="#london-weather-forecast">London Weather Forecast</a></li></ul></nav></div>



Let's take a brief look at The Oval Pitch Report, IND vs AUS Test Records &amp; Stats, and London Weather Forecast:



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="the-oval-pitch-report">The Oval Pitch Report</h2>



Over the years, The Oval's wickets have displayed significant bounce. Fast bowlers always enjoy bowling in England. As the match moves into day three and beyond, there is support for both spin bowlers and fast bowlers. Swing bowlers benefit from favorable weather conditions as well.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="http://www.icccricketschedule.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Pitch-Oval-1.jpg" alt="The Oval Pitch Report | IND vs AUS WTC 2023 Final: Test Records &amp; Stats, London Weather Forecast" class="wp-image-114499" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Oval Pitch Report | IND vs AUS WTC 2023 Final</figcaption></figure>



This was in reference to how the Oval's Pitch generally behaved. According to pictures of the Pitch going viral on the internet, it is really a green top. The batters will struggle in the middle, while the seamers will undoubtedly enjoy bowling. An overcast morning is the cruelest thing that can happen to a batsman. It is definitely going to be a bowlers' paradise.



However, as this is the first Test to be played at the Oval in June, both sides could be looking for ways to capitalize on the spin. Since June marks the beginning of the English summer, spinners may have a game-changing role after the third day. Australia may select one spinner and load their pace attack, compared to India who will field two spinners.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="the-oval-london-test-stats-and-records">The Oval, London Test Stats and Records</h2>



In 104 matches, pace bowlers picked up 1930 wickets at an average of 30.60, while spinners have taken 892 wickets at an average of 34.26. Fast bowlers have enjoyed their success at this venue. Until the present day, teams batting first have won 38 games, teams batting second have won 29, and 37 games have resulted in draws.



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td>Matches Played</td><td>104</td></tr><tr><td>Teams Won Batting First</td><td>38</td></tr><tr><td>Teams Won Chasing</td><td>29</td></tr><tr><td>Draw</td><td>37</td></tr><tr><td>Average First Batting Score</td><td>345</td></tr><tr><td>India Won</td><td>2</td></tr><tr><td>India Lost</td><td>5</td></tr><tr><td>India Draw</td><td>7</td></tr><tr><td>Australia Won</td><td>7</td></tr><tr><td>Australia Lost</td><td>17</td></tr><tr><td>Australia Draw</td><td>14</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="london-weather-forecast">London Weather Forecast</h2>



The end result of the WTC final may be significantly influenced by unpredictable weather in England. During the five days of play, it is predicted that the temperature would range from 18? to 22? Celsius. The first two days are predicted to be clear, with the possibility of scattered rain on the third and fourth days. Pacers are expected to have an advantage if it is overcast.



READ:<a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/ind-vs-aus-wtc-final-key-battles-to-look-out-for-wtc-2023-final-india-vs-australia/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> IND vs AUS WTC Final Key Battles to Look Out for! WTC 2023 Final India vs Australia</a>



Head to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.icc-cricket.com/homepage" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Official ICC WEBSITE</a>

The Oval Pitch Report, IND vs AUS WTC Final: Test Records &amp; Stats, London Weather Forecast| WTC 2021-23

the-oval-pitch-report-ind-vs-aus-wtc-final-test-records-stats-london-weather-forecast

India captain Rohit Sharma bid adieu to 2024 in a staggering Instagram post. The senior batter posted a video on Instagram on Tuesday, December 31, of his best and worst moments of 2024. This comes amid the talks related to his retirement. 
Rohit Sharma had a roller coaster ride in 2024 as the captain had his best and worst part of his career. The India captain started the year on high as under him India won the Test match at Centurion and went on to draw the series. After that, he was at his best in the Test series against England. 
Rohit Sharma with the team full of youngsters won the Test series against England. Under his leadership, India won the five-match series by a massive margin of 4-1. He led from the front and also slammed two centuries in the series, helping the team win. 
After that, Rohit Sharma was at his best in the IPL as he was amongst the highest run-getters for Mumbai Indians. He also slammed the century there. He also returns to the T20Is before the Tests as slammed a century there as well. 
<h2>The best moment for Rohit Sharma was in June when under his leadership India won the ICC T20 World Cup 2024.</h2>
The best moment for Rohit Sharma was in June when under his leadership India won the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. He was the leading run-getter for the team in the tournament as he top-scored and helped the India team end their ICC title drought. 
Things didn't go well for Rohit Sharma after that. Since then has been going through a rough patch in the Tests. The India captain has failed to get going and under his leadership team faced the whitewash first time at home as they lost the series to New Zealand by the margin of 3-0. 
He is currently in Australia but things have been poor for him as well. The batter has scored just 31 runs in the three games and also under him India is behind in the series by 2-1. He has registered scores of 3, 6, 10, 3 and 9 and following this, there have been a lot of talks related to his retirement as well. 
He posted the video with caption: "For all the ups &amp; downs, and everything in between, Thank you 2024."
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DEPoz8Ah2oV/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&amp;igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==">You can watch video here: </a>
Do Read: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/3-changes-india-must-make-to-win-the-scg-test-to-retain-the-border-gavaskar-trophy/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">3 changes India must make to win the SCG Test to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy</a>

"For all the ups & downs" - Rohit Sharma bids adieu to.....

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India is all set to lock horns with England in the three-match ODI series. This will be the only series for the Men in Blue before the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and it will be extremely important for the team as they would want to look at their combination for the tournament. 
The ODI series between England and India will get underway from 6th February at the VCA Stadium in Nagpur. The second game of the series is scheduled to take place on 9th February in Cuttack, followed by the last match to be played on 12th at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. 
There have been several reports that have claimed that India will be playing the series in the absence of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah. This is because BCCI wants their premier players to be rested and fresh for the ICC Champions Trophy 2024, which will be a crucial event for the team. 
If the reports emerge to be true, then it will be a massive problem for the Indian team that they will be playing without their captain. This has raised speculations about who will be leading the team in the three-match ODI series against the full-strength England team at home. 
<h2>Who will captain India in the absence of Rohit Sharma during England ODIs </h2>
With Rohit Sharma being rested for the three-match ODI series, it is expected that Shubman Gill will be captaining the team against England. The young batter was recently appointed as the vice-captain of the team in the white-ball format after the team went through the transition. 
It is expected that the squad for the England series will be similar to what India will be named for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Therefore, it will be a great opportunity for the young players who will be picked to make their case strong for the tournament. 
Shubman Gill, since the last few years, has been the best batter for India in the ODIs. He has shown his real class with the bat and would want to carry on the same form. He also was captain of the team during the T20I series against Zimbabwe and will be keen to replicate the same performance.
Do Read: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/3-changes-india-must-make-to-win-the-scg-test-to-retain-the-border-gavaskar-trophy/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">3 changes India must make to win the SCG Test to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy</a>

There have been several reports that have claimed that India will be playing the series in the absence of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah

Who will captain India if Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah and Virat Kohli will be rested for England ODIs

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Team India are currently in Australia for the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The fifth and final test will end on January 7; after that, India will play three T20Is and three ODIs against England at home between January 22 and February 12.
This will be the last three ODIs for India ahead of the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025, and India will look to prepare for the upcoming mega event. However, there has been news that India might rest Jasprit Bumrah, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
Being India's premier pacer, Bumrah has been doing too much in Australia, but resting out-of-form Virat and Rohit might not be ideal. Hence, we will talk about three reasons why India should not rest Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from England ODIs.
<h2>Three reasons why India should not drop Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma from England ODIs ahead of ICC Champions Trophy 2025</h2>
1. Form of both players
Dropping a player who is struggling with form might not do good for the team. Both Virat and Rohit have struggled in Australia, and they are searching for runs badly. Consistent failures must have hurt their confidence as well. Hence, at home on Indian batting pitches, it can be ideal to get back to form. But if India rest them, they won't have the time to get back to form and will enter the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 after a string of low scores.
2. Only ODIs to prepare for Champions Trophy 2025
Since the ODI World Cup 2023 at home, Rohit and Virat have only played three ODI matches. Though they have played test cricket consistently, ODI format is a different game altogether. Hence, to get back into rhythm, the upcoming ODI series against England can be perfect. At least England are going with the same team that will feature in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. That is why India must need to do and give the game time to their main batters whom you expect to fire in the mega event.
3. Managing Replacement
The form of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli is under scrutiny, and many questions have been raised about their position in tests. However, ODI cricket is a totally different format. But loss of form can sometimes hurt the confidence, and it can affect other formats as well. Hence, India should play them in England ODIs because if they fail, then they can pick the backup batters for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. That means if these two don't score runs against England, then India can take some hard decisions and pick other players as replacements.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/3-changes-india-must-make-to-win-the-scg-test-to-retain-the-border-gavaskar-trophy/">3 changes India must make to win the SCG Test to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy</a>

The Indian management is looking to rest Jasprit Bumrah, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma from England ODIs ahead of the Champions Trophy 2025.

3 Reasons why Resting Virat and Rohit from England ODIs can be blunder ahead of Champions Trophy 2025

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Batting great Sunil Gavaskar gave a massive suggestion to the Indian team going forward in Test cricket. He said that the Rohit Sharma-led should keep an eye on Venkatesh Iyer for the red-ball cricket as he can be handy for the team. 
India hasn't been blessed with as many fast-bowling all-rounders as they would've wanted. After Kapil Dev, it was Hardik Pandya who took the mantle and has been doing a staggering job for the team in the white-ball cricket but his fitness hasn't supported him at all. 
Hardik Pandya played a few Tests for India but couldn't carry on in the format. The all-rounder last played in 2018 and, after that, has been focusing on white-ball cricket after that, India tried Shardul Thakur, and although he did a decent job, the quality wasn't there, and he was dropped. 
India now has included Nitish Kumar Reddy in the team and the all-rounder has been doing a great job in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. He has shown great promise with the bat as he also slammed a magnificent century and helped the team tackle the trouble. 
But it's fair to say that the quality of the ball still has been lacking. Nitish Kumar Reddy hasn't been the best with the ball and hasn't bowled well, which has put an extra burden on Jasprit Bumrah, who has bowled around 140 overs in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. 
<h2>India must also keep an eye on Venkatesh Iyer, who can be another fine all-rounder and is a left-hander to bat - Sunil Gavaskar</h2>
Amid the debate around all-rounder, Sunil Gavaskar has suggested the name of Venkatesh Iyer, claiming that he can be a fine all-rounder for the team. He also pointed out that he played in the county. Writing in his column, he explained: 
"India must also keep an eye on Venkatesh Iyer, who can be another fine all-rounder and is a left-hander to bat. His bowling too can do with some work, but he has played in England and can be a very good option to have there," Gavaskar wrote in his column for Sportstar. 
Venkatesh Iyer has already made his India debut, having played two ODIs and nine T20Is. He also played for Lancashire in the England summer earlier this year.
Also Read:<a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/indian-cricket-team-india-s-full-test-cricket-schedule-in-2025-they-will-face-these-teams/#google_vignette"> </a><a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/indian-cricket-team-india-s-full-test-cricket-schedule-in-2025-they-will-face-these-teams/#google_vignette">Indian Cricket: Team India's full Test Cricket schedule in 2025, they will face these teams</a>

Batting great Sunil Gavaskar gave a massive suggestion to the Indian team going forward in Test cricket.

Not Hardik Pandya or Nitish Reddy, Sunil Gavaskar wants this fast-bowling all-rounder for Tests

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After the end of the 2025 IPL Mega-Auction, a lot of teams have strengthened their respective batting units. The dominance of the batters is going to increase even more this time around in the Biggest T20 tournament in the entire world and it's going to be really interesting to see which teams walks out on to the field with the strongest batting unit. 
Every year, the batsmen create new records in the IPL and now the runs figure of 250 is looking pretty common these days. Not just this, scoring centuries has also become pretty common for the batters. In such a situation, let's take a look at 3 teams who have the strongest batting-unit in IPL 2025
<h3>Three IPL Teams who have the strongest batting-unit in IPL 2025:</h3>
<h3>1. Sunrisers Hyderabad</h3>
Pat Cummins-led Sunrisers Hyderabad will once again walk out on the field in the IPL with the strongest batting unit. The likes of Travis Head, Ishan Kishan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Abhishek Sharma and Heinrich Klaasen are a part of the squad of SRH and these players have the potential in them to dominate any opposition bowling unit. 
While Kishan is a new addition, the other four players were a part of the Hyderabad team in the previous edition of the tournament too and they wrecked havoc in the 2024 edition of the IPL as they crossed the 260 run mark twice verus the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and five time winners Mumbai Indians (MI).The presence of these four players and the addition of hard hitting Indian batter Ishan Kishan makes the IPL 2024 runners-up a force to reckon with. 

<h3>2. Kolkata Knight Riders</h3>
IPL 2024 winners and reigning champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are blessed to have a solid and a strong batting unit ahead of IPL 2025. The presence of the likes of Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Rinku Singh, Sunil Narine, Venkatesh Iyer, Andre Russell, Quinton de Kock and Ajinkya Rahane can target any bowler from the word go. The aggressive batting nature of Gurbaz, De Kock, Narine and Venky Iyer along with the solid middle order presence of the duo of Russell and Rinku make the team of KKR look like a complete and a really formidable one. The Reigning Champs are surely going to be a dangerous side to bowl against.

<h4>3. Delhi Capitals </h4>
After the conclusion of the 2025 IPL Mega-Auction, the Delhi Capitals managed to include some really incredible batters in their squad which consists of the likes of KL Rahul, Tristan Stubbs, Jack Fraser McGurk and Harry Brook. Besides them, the presence of experienced all-rounder Axar Patel provides a lot of stability to their middle-order. This time around, the Delhi franchise have set up themselves as a batting-heavy team, which will create a lot of difficulties for the opposition bowlers.

Do Read: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/ipl-csk-s-strongest-playing-11-if-conway-and-ravindra-miss-the-start-of-ipl-2025/">IPL: CSK's strongest Playing 11 if Conway and Ravindra miss the start of IPL 2025</a>

Many IPL teams have strengthened their squads after the end of the 2025 Mega-Auction and three teams have the strongest batting-unit ahead of IPL 2025. We will be taking a look at those three teams in this article.

IPL 2025: 3 Teams who have the strongest batting unit, they can blow away any bowling attack

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It has been a great year for India's ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah, as he has been at the top of his game and has proved it in all three formats. The ace pacer played a big role in India's T20 World Cup 2024 triumph, winning the Player of the Tournament award. Bumrah has taken the most wickets in 2024 across all three formats.
But his best came in the red-ball cricket, where he has taken most wickets in 2024. That is why Cricket Australia (CA) has honored him and picked him as the captain of the Test XI of 2024. Interestingly, CA has not picked Pat Cummins and has picked Bumrah to lead the team.
CA has picked three English players, two each from Australia, India, and New Zealand, and a player each from South Africa and Sri Lanka. Apart from Bumrah, the Indian opener Yashavi Jaiswal also features in the exclusive Best Test XI by Cricket Australia.
<h2>Jasprit Bumrah picked as captain to lead Best Test XI of 2024 by Cricket Australia</h2>
Indian ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah led India in the first game of the ongoing BGT series in Perth and played a crucial role in winning. Hence, CA has picked Bumrah to lead this exclusive Test XI. The 31-year-old has taken 71 wickets in just 13 games at an average of 14.92 and a strike rate of 30.16, with five fifers.
Jaiswal and Ben Duckett have been picked to open the innings. Both left-handers had a tremendous year. Jaiswal has scored 1478 runs and is the second-highest scorer in 2024, while Duckett has scored 1149 and is below Jaiswal at three for this year. Former English captain Joe Root, who is leading the run scoring chart with 1556 runs in 17 tests, is picked to bat at no. 3.
<h2>Harry Brook to lead the middle-order batting in the Best Test XI by Cricket Australia</h2>
The middle order is filled with some exceptional performers. Harry Brook, who was the No. 1 ranked test batter, has scored 1100 runs this year in just 12 games with four centuries, including a triple hundred, and is at No. 4. He is followed by New Zealand's Rachin Ravindra, who has 984 runs in 12 tests.
At no. 6, Sri Lanka's emerging star Kamindu Mendis, who became one of the fastest to reach 1000 test runs. Mendis has scored 1049 runs in just nine tests, with five centuries and three half-centuries. Australia's Alex Carey is picked as the wicketkeeper, who has scored 440 runs in nine tests.
Bumrah will lead the team. The other two pacers are England's Gus Atkinson and New Zealand's Matt Henry. Atkinson has taken 52 wickets in 11 tests, while Henry has taken 48 wickets in nine tests. South Africa's Keshav Maharaj is the only spinner in the team, who has 35 wickets in seven tests.
Cricket Australia's Best Test XI of 2024: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Rachin Ravindra, Harry Brook, Kamindu Mendis, Alex Carey (wk), Matt Henry, Jasprit Bumrah, Josh Hazlewood, Keshav Maharaj
Also Read: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/mitchell-starc-ruled-out-of-sydney-test-australian-coach-makes-a-big-revelation-ahead-of-5th-test/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mitchell Starc ruled out of Sydney Test? Australian coach makes a big revelation ahead of 5th Test</a>

Cricket Australia announced the Best Test XI of 2024, picking two Indian players. Jasprit Bumrah has been picked as the captain of the team.

Cummins dropped as Jasprit Bumrah to lead as Cricket Australia released Best Test XI of 2024

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Rohit Sharma, the current captain of the Indian Cricket Team is set to take the big decision of retiring from Test Cricket following the conclusion of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy series versus the Australians. According to a media report, Rohit will be taking a big decision regarding his career after the conclusion of the ongoing series. 
Let us tell you that the Men in Blue have failed to win the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series, a series which the Indians have won on the previous four occasions. On the other hand, the personal performance of the 37-year-old with the bat have been poor too, managing to score just 31 runs in five innings versus the Aussies in the current edition of the BGT. 
According to the news report of Times of India, the top officials of thr BCCI and the National Team selectors have already talked to Rohit and it looks like the 'Hitman' will not be changing his decision of retiring. While the date of his retirement has not been revealed yet, some news reports suggest that the 37-year-old will be taking the tough decision after the conclusion of the Sydney Test-Match. 
If the two time WTC runners-up manage to qualify for the 2023-25 WTC Final, then Rohit can carry on as the captain of the team for some more time and he will most likely have a discussion with the selectors regarding staying on as the skipper. 
Following the team's defeat in the Melbourne Boxing-Day Test, the Indian captain was deeply hurt by the defeat. On one hand, elite seamer Jasprit Bumrah has single handedly dismissed Australian batters 30 times in the ongoing series while Rohit on the other hand, has managed to amass just 31 runs. It's possible that the retirement of the 'Hitman' is not that far but he won't be moving away from Red-ball Cricket without fighting back in the Sydney Test-Match.
<h2>What did Indian Captain Rohit Sharma say following the team's embarrassing defeat in Melbourne? </h2>
The Indian Team fell to an embarrassing 184 runs defeat in the Melbourne Boxing-Day Test-Match versus the Australians and this defeat meant that the home team have taken a 2-1 lead in the five-match series. After the defeat, Skipper Rohit Sharma that there are many things that are not happening according to his wishes. He also said that this defeat is mentally disturbing. 
"It's evident that we have had a few unfavorable-outcomes, and as captain, I find this disheartening. Many of the things I'm attempting to do as a batter are not working out and it's upsetting to the mind," the Indian captain said.
Do Read: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/mitchell-starc-ruled-out-of-sydney-test-australian-coach-makes-a-big-revelation-ahead-of-5th-test/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mitchell Starc ruled out of Sydney Test? Australian coach makes a big revelation ahead of 5th Test</a>

A dejected Rohit Sharma walks back to the dugout after getting dismissed for yet another low score in the BGT 2024 series | Image: Associated Press

Reportedly, Indian skipper Rohit Sharma has decided to retire from Test Cricket and the announcement is likely to be made by the BCCI after the end of the Sydney Test-Match versus the Australians.

Team India: Captain Rohit Sharma decides to retire from Tests, BCCI likely to make an announcement soon

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The Indian Men's National Cricket Team is currently in Australia where they are taking part in the 2024-25 edition of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series. Post the conclusion of the Australian tour, they will head back to Indian where they will be participating in a limited-overs Bilateral Series versus England, which will consist of five T20 International contests and three One Day International games. 
Ahead of England's tour of India, a big update has come out regarding the three-match One Day International series and it says that the duo of Virat Kohli &amp; Rohit Sharma are not going play in the Odds versus the Three Lions. Besides these two players, elite seamer Jasprit Bumrah will also miss the ODI series. 
The One-Day International series versus the Three Lions is the Men in Blue's final series before the commencement of 2025 Champions Trophy and this series will be acting as a preparatory ground for the 2023 ODI World Cup runners-up. 
The White Ball assignment versus the Jos Buttler-led team will start from the 22nd of January, 2025 with the five-match Twenty-Twenty series. Then the 50-overs event of three games will kick off from the 6th of February, 2025.
It's worth noting that both Virat &amp; Rohit have retired from the shortest format of the game and both will be seen playing in just the One-Day International matches but now that seems very unlikely too.
According to a news report of Sports Tak, the trip of Jasprit Bumrah, Virat Kohli &amp; Rohit Sharma will be missing the England ODI series due to the workload-management policy of the BCCI. Bumrah will also be absent from the England T20 International series. However, official updates regarding the trio's participation are yet to be revealed. 
<h2>The 2025 edition of the Champions Trophy will commence from the 19th of February</h2>
Let us tell you that the 2025 edition of the Champions Trophy will kick off from the 19th of February, 2025. On the other hand, the white ball series between England and India will end on the 12th of February. Champions Trophy (CT) will be played under the 'Hybrid-Model' policy.
While Pakistan will be acting as the host country of the tournament, the Men in Blue will be playing their CT fixtures in the city of Dubai, UAE. If the Rohit Sharma-led team manage to qualify for the knock out rounds and advance to the final too, then one Semi-Final and the all-important Final will be played in the Dubai Cricket Stadium.
Do Read:

India's Jasprit Bumrah (R) celebrates with teammate Virat Kohli (C) and captain Rohit Sharma after taking the wicket of Australia's captain Pat Cummins during the 2023 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup one-day international (ODI) match between India and Australia at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai | Image: Getty Images

The Trio of Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah and Rohit Sharma are set to miss the England ODI series ahead of Champions Trophy 2025

IND vs ENG: Kohli and Rohit set to miss the England ODI series ahead of Champions Trophy 2025

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IND vs AUS: India are the current holder of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, as they have won the last four editions and have a great record. Australia won the last BGT trophy back in 2014-15, but it looks like the long wait is all set to come to an end. After an emphatic win at the MCG, Australia are leading by 2-1.
They just need to win or draw the final test, which will help them to win the BGT trophy and also to qualify for the World Test Championship 2023-25 final. Australia have had great performance so far, and everyone has chipped in with valuable contributions.
The fifth and final test is all set to begin on January 3, 2025, at the Sydney Cricket Ground. However, ahead of the final game, Australia might suffer a big blow. Ace pacer Mitchell Starc can miss the game due to a fitness issue.
<h2>IND vs AUS 5th Test: "Mitchell Starc is carrying something of some description"- Australian head coach Andrew McDonald</h2>
Australia had to find the replacement for Josh Hazlewood when he was ruled out ahead of the MCG test. Though they had Scott Boland, who did pretty well. But they can have a big headache if Mitchell Starc also gets ruled out of the final test. Australian head coach Andrew McDonald is optimistic about Starc's availability for the SCG test.
The 34-year-old looked in discomfort during the Boxing Day Test in the second innings. He left the field during Day 3 due to a niggle and was seen stretching his back a few times in India's second innings as well. However, the pacer kept pushing hard and played a crucial role in Australia's victory. He took the wicket of Virat Kohli in the second innings and bowled consistently with a good speed of over 140 km/h.
His inclusion is still a question, and McDonald said, "Clearly, Starc is carrying something of some description. We’ll assess that. There was clearly a bit of discomfort early in his spells, but once he warmed up, he seemed relatively free. His ball speeds were good."
Notably, Australia have the option to go for Sean Abbott and Jhye Richardson if Starc gets unfit for the final game. These two pacers are with the team as backup options. Australia are one win away from regaining the BGT trophy and qualifying for the WTC final. So, they need Starc fully fit and at his best for the final game.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/3-changes-india-must-make-to-win-the-scg-test-to-retain-the-border-gavaskar-trophy/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">3 changes India must make to win the SCG Test to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy</a>

Mitchell Starc was seen in discomfort while bowling in the Boxing Day Test. He had a niggle, and his participating in the final test at the SCG is in doubt.

Mitchell Starc ruled out of Sydney Test? Australian coach makes a big revelation ahead of 5th Test

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The finalists of both World Test Championship cycles in the history of Test cricket—once the number-one ranked team for a long time before the home series against New Zealand and a side brimming with some of the finest red-ball cricketing talent—have suffered as many as 11 batting collapses in their last 14 innings.
If we set aside a few individual performances from these 14 innings, the overall display as a unit reveals two more poor performances. Not to mention, India managed to win just one Test out of those seven, and that too only when the entire top order fired up and put up substantial runs.
The most disheartening aspect is that India faltered against New Zealand at home, on pitches they themselves had chosen to play on. New Zealand, on the other hand, executed their plans and tactics flawlessly, adapting brilliantly to subcontinent conditions. They not only outplayed India but also delivered a resounding statement by securing a 3-0 whitewash in the Test series on Indian soil.
Following the home humiliation, India embarked on their tour of Australia for the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy and started on a high note, winning the first Test in Perth. Despite being bowled out for just 150 in the first innings, a brilliant 161 from Jaiswal and an unbeaten century from Kohli (100*) secured a memorable victory for India.
While Indian bowling, led by Jasprit Bumrah, has delivered consistently and performed satisfactorily, the same cannot be said for the batting lineup, which continues to struggle with inconsistency.

The second innings at Perth was the last time Indian batting displayed solidity. In the pink-ball Test at Adelaide, the team suffered a double collapse, resulting in a defeat. At Brisbane, KL Rahul, Jadeja, and Akash Deep were the only players to score above 20, highlighting the lack of form and consistency within the batting order.
The latest disappointment came in Melbourne, where the story was no different. Despite promising starts, the batters threw away their wickets, leading to yet another collapse. Jaiswal, however, continued his excellent form and proved to be the lone bright spot in an otherwise dismal batting performance, fully deserving the bit of luck that came his way.
<h2>Things Going Wrong With Indian Batting</h2>
<h3>Out of Form Captain</h3>
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Rohit Sharma, the Indian Test Captain, is just out of the knick and it looks like he is out of the mindset he used to have. If we talk on his numbers in the Border Gavaskar trophy 2024-25, he has scored only 31 runs in the three tests of the series. His total runs in the series are just one more than Jasprit Bumrah's wickets in the series.
The runs simply aren’t coming. While the statistics might provide material for laughs and social media memes, on a serious note, they paint a grim picture of Rohit as a batter. Not only has he struggled with his form, but his performance as a Test captain has also been far from tactically sound or proactive. The prolonged lean patch has seemingly further impacted his decision-making, compounding the issues for both himself and the team
<h3>Virat and the fifth Stump Love Affair</h3>
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‘Modern-day greats will figure out their way… you know… path,’ Rohit Sharma said with a smile when asked about Kohli's tendency to chase the fifth-stump ball ahead of the Boxing Day Test. Ironically, in both innings at the MCG, Kohli was dismissed chasing deliveries outside the off-stump, proving that the issue remains unresolved.
There seems to be a clear pattern emerging for both Kohli and Rohit, and opposing teams now know exactly how to send them back to the pavilion. The Australians, in particular, are enjoying testing Virat Kohli's patience, and it hasn’t taken much effort to reap the rewards. At this point, even someone like Mitch Marsh could dismiss Kohli by consistently bowling on the fourth or fifth stump line.
This issue needs to be addressed urgently. Kohli has earned his place among the greats over the years, but now it’s time for him to show how he can adapt and overcome this persistent fifth-stump vulnerability.
<h3>Rishabh Pant Being Over Aggressive </h3>
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Pant, known for his fearless and attacking style, has played key roles in many of India's victories. Yet, his tendency to go for high-risk shots has led to untimely dismissals, one of the most notable being a poor judgment call during the Melbourne Cricket Ground match, where he attempted an ill-conceived scoop shot.
Pant is putting in significant effort to get those valuable starts, and he’s been successful in doing so. But his aggressive instincts often take over, causing his well-earned starts to end in unfortunate dismissals.
READ: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/on-this-day-in-2014-the-legendary-ms-dhoni-played-his-final-test-and-retired-from-the-longest-format-of-the-game/">On this day in 2014, the legendary MS Dhoni played his final test and retired from the longest format of the game</a>

India’s recent struggles in Test cricket reflect inconsistent batting, with key players like Kohli and Rohit failing to find form. Despite strong individual performances, persistent issues, especially against Australia, remain unresolved.

India’s Test cricket woes continue with inconsistent batting and decision-making, despite individual brilliance, especially against Australia’s relentless pressure.