AUS vs IND: WTC Final match prediction

AUS vs IND: The players on Team India are all prepared to focus their attention on the eagerly anticipated World Test Championship 2023 (WTC) final versus Australia after a demanding season in the Indian Premier League. Mark June 7 on your calendars because The Oval in London will serve as the arena for the WTC 2021–2023 cycle's last matchup, which will pit Rohit Sharma's team against Pat Cummins' Australia.

India has recently played outstanding Test cricket and won the Border-Gavaskar Trophy by a score of 2-1 in March of this year. It will be extremely difficult to defeat this formidable Australian squad at a neutral location.

AUS vs IND: Match details

Match: AUS vs IND Final, ICC World Test Championship Final 2023

Date: Wednesday, June 7 – Sunday, June 11, 2023

Time: 3:00 PM

Venue: Kennington Oval, London

AUS vs IND: Match Overview

Australia

Australia has never competed in the WTC finals before. With a 66.67 point percentage (PCT) in its 19 matches, they reached the final and topped the WTC 2021-23 cycle points table. They have been a predominant power in red-ball cricket for a year and a half, staying undefeated on their home turf. In any event, during strenuous away visits in Sri Lanka and India, they exhibited unflinching determination, versatility, and a praiseworthy presentation of persistence. Scott Boland, a remarkable consistency, will play in place of Josh Hazlewood in the lineup.

Players to keep an eye on:

Khawaja Usman: The seasoned Australian opener has performed admirably throughout the 2021-2023 WTC cycle, scoring a staggering 1608 runs in 16 matches at an average of nearly 70, including six hundred and seven fifties. Khawaja is Australia's leading run-getter in Tests in 2023, scoring 528 runs in five games at an average of 75.42.

Steve Smith: Even though this year's series against India was uneventful, Smith will undoubtedly be the opposition's most prized scalp. In addition, his record at the Oval is comparable to that of Bradman, with an average of 97.75 runs in three Tests and two hundred.

Labuschagne Marnus: Labuschagne has scored 323 runs at an average of 46.14 over eight Tests in 2023. In this WTC cycle, he is also Australia's second-highest run-getter, scoring 1509 runs in 19 matches at an average of 53.89.

Pat Cummins: On this surface, the Australian captain will be a formidable opponent. The right-arm pacer has had a respectable 2023, taking 7 wickets at an average of 27.85 in 3 Test matches. He has, however, taken 29 wickets in five England Tests, a remarkable average of 19.62.

Starc Mitchell: Even though Starc hasn't had the best season, he still takes the third most wickets for Australia in this WTC cycle, taking 51 wickets in 16 Tests at an average of 27.27. His yorkers, which swing sharply, can trouble the Indian batting.

India

After an impressive 2-1 victory over Australia in the Border Gavaskar Trophy, India, led by Rohit Sharma, is getting ready for their second WTC final. Before that, they won the two-match series against Bangladesh with ease, 2-0.

India still appears to be very strong, despite the fact that many of its regulars will be absent.

Players to keep an eye on:

Rohit Sharma: Captain Rohit has made significant improvements to his performance in Test matches despite his recent struggles in the IPL. In this WTC cycle, he has scored 700 runs in ten matches, averaging 43.75 runs per game. In addition, Rohit scored a match-winning 127 against England in his last appearance at the Oval in 2021.

Cheteshwar Pujara: He has been a thistle for Australia for some time now, and midpoints 50.82 against them across 24 matches. Pujara has been playing for Surrey in the County Championship in England for the past few months, making him the best-prepared Indian batsman for this match. The right-handed batsman has scored 582 runs over the course of the series in 8 innings, putting together an impressive average of 68.12.

Mohammed Shami: Shami will lead India's pace bowling team in the absence of Bumrah. He is a significant threat on English pitches because he can generate swing in either direction. Shami has played 13 Test matches in England and taken 38 wickets, which is impressive.

Mohammed Siraj: Siraj has made remarkable progress since making his debut in Australia and now plays a crucial role in India's current pace attack. Endowed with the obligation of collaborating with Shami in taking the new ball and accomplishing early forward leaps, Mohammed Siraj has shown wonderful development since his presentation in Australia. He has excelled in England, where he has taken 18 wickets in 5 Test matches.

Ashwin Ravichandran: Despite the fact that India had selected Shardul Thakur ahead of Ashwin on their previous tour of England, the skillful off-spinner should be selected here due to his outstanding record against Australia. Ashwin has sacked 114 wickets against the Aussies in only 22 Tests. He reliably pained Smith and Labuschagne in the new Boundary Gavaskar Prize.

AUS vs IND: Key tips

Due to their various ailments, Jasprit Bumrah, Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, and Shreyas Iyer are all out of action for India. Josh Hazlewood, an Australian pitcher, will not play in the World Test Championship game because of an injury. Mitchell Starc has yet to remove Rohit Sharma or Shubman Gill in a Test match, while Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, and Ajinkya Rahane have a combined average of 77.8 against the left-arm fast. Steve Smith has a 97.75 test average at the Oval.

AUS vs IND: Probable XI

Australia

Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Starc,  Steve Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, David Warner, Nathan Lyon, Usman Khawaja,  Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland

India

KS Bharat (wk), Mohammad Shami,  Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ravindra Jadeja, Ajinkya Rahane, Shardul Thakur/ Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohammed Siraj, Rohit Sharma (c), Virat Kohli, Umesh Yadav/Jaydev Unadkat

AUS vs IND: Pitch report

The Kennington Oval's average first innings total is 345, while its average second innings total is 279 there. The best score here is 664, which India achieved in a 2007 match versus England. Here, the side batting first must aim to score at least 380-400 runs overall.

AUS vs IND: Weather report

The pitch at Kennington Oval has a good amount of bounce and is a level playing surface. With the old ball, spinners are anticipated to exercise control, while fast bowlers should provide movement. For the first three days, the Kennington Oval pitch has historically been ideal for batting. The surface's dry texture promotes improved bounce and carries, allowing the ball to scuff up and produce the desired reverse swing.

The first three days of the Test are anticipated to have bright and partly overcast weather in London. The fourth day may see a few afternoon showers, but the final day will once more be pleasant with clouds and sun.

AUS vs IND: Toss prediction

The side batting first typically benefits from the Kennington Oval. In the 15 tests that have been played here, the side batting first has won 53% of the time. Expect the side that wins the toss to choose to bat first in this game since the first three days are predicted to be bright and clear.

AUS vs IND: Pre-play prediction

Best batter: Usman Khawaja (AUS), Rohit Sharma (IND)

Best bowler: Mitchell Starc (AUS), Mohammed Shami (IND)

Best all-rounder: Steve Smith (AUS), Ravichandran Ashwin (IND)

Player of the match: Usman Khawaja (AUS)

AUS vs IND: Match Prediction

In Test matches, Australia has a 44-32 record against India. Notwithstanding, they have lost the last four Test series against them. Australia gloats an extremely impressive and even crew. The Indian batsmen, who haven't been at their best lately, will likely face a lot of challenges from their fast bowlers. Moreover, with Khawaja, Smith, and Labuschagne, their setup highlights three excellent and in-structure players who will introduce a considerable test to rivals.

India's bowlers will need to step up their game if they want to win this match and prevent the Australian batsmen from scoring a lot. Taking into account the new difficulties looked at by India's top and center requests, it is impossible that they will convey areas of strength. Despite the fact that their lower order has frequently saved them over the past few years, it might not this time against this dangerous fast-bowling attack. That by itself gives Australia an edge in this last.

Put your money on Australia to win the World Test Championship final.