In the early hours of Tuesday, Virat Kohli will be among the first group of Indian players to embark for the World Test Championship (WTC) final match against Australia in London. A day after their club was eliminated from the IPL, Mohammad Siraj, a colleague of Kohli’s from Royal Challengers Bangalore, would also travel on the same flight. Along with all-rounder Shardul Thakur and spinners R Ashwin and Axar Patel, the team’s support crew, lead by Rahul Dravid, will also be traveling. From June 7 to 11, the final will be held at the Oval.
“There will be a total of two or three departures. Tomorrow, the first batch departs at 4.30 am, according to a BCCI source.
Players like captain Rohit Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Shubman Gill, Mohammad Shami, K S Bharat, and Ajinkya Rahane will remain in India for the IPL playoffs.
In England, Cheteshwar Pujara is already a county cricket player.
Only three Australians who are headed to the World T20 competed in the wealthiest T20 league, compared to the majority of Indian squad members who are entering the title match following two months of IPL.
The legendary Ricky Ponting predicted last week that although the Indians would have tremendous game experience behind them, the Australians would be mentally better prepared for the final.
“There are two perspectives on this. Is Virat kohli better off playing now, consistently getting runs, and feeling confident before a game than the Australians at home, who haven’t played much cricket but will be mentally more ready?,” Ponting had said.
India will be seeking to win their first ICC trophy in ten years after finishing as runners-up in 2021.
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