ডাকবাংলা

The World Test Championship is a welcome addition to the cricketing landscape. To be able to contest the inaugural final of any competition is a great place to be in, and that’s exactly where India and New Zealand are. Both know that victory in Southampton in the final of the first-ever World Test Championship will permanently etch their name in the history books. I must compliment the International Cricket Council for lending greater context and relevance to the longer format. Especially for players like me who never played in a World Cup, to be able to compete in a World Championship is massive. I know cricket has evolved tremendously and we have made a lot of adjustments to provide entertainment and enjoyment to the fans, but it is important to make sure that we also look after the players. Towards that end, the WTC is a step in the right direction.

I would like a few changes, though, to make it more inclusive and competitive. While the two-year cycle is just about right, I feel all 12 Test-playing nations should be a part of the competition. Maybe they could be split into two groups of six, with the two group toppers playing a best-of-three final.

I’d like to see additional weightage given for wins overseas. It’s definitely not easy winning at home, but you have an edge because you know your conditions. Winning away is that much more challenging, and should come with a greater reward. Further, for the first Test of the series alone, the toss can be done away with and the visiting captain given the option to choose to bat or field first. That will lead to a more level-playing field, as will the insistence on meeting minimum standards when it comes to pitching preparation so that home advantage is not abused.

India have been the most dominant and consistent side during the league phase of the WTC, though it won’t be lost on either team that the only roadblock in their way came in New Zealand, when they were comprehensively swept aside in the two-Test series in February-March 2020. While New Zealand hold that psychological edge, they will also be encouraged by the conditions which are as close to home as they are likely to get. That, coupled with their recent success against England, will make them a strong opponent, but this Indian team has consistently showcased its ability to rise to a challenge, to overcome any obstacle in its way.

India and New Zealand are deserving contestants of the inaugural final. India was among only three teams that we’re able to play all their six designated series in the pandemic-ravaged cycle, and New Zealand benefited from the welcome change in qualification criteria where the percentage of points decided the final standings. Australia will be kicking themselves for their over-rate offense against India in the Melbourne Test in December, this resulted in four docked points, which facilitated New Zealand’s passage.

With the bowling attacks of both outfits looking formidable, it will boil down to how rival sets of batsmen shape up. That’s where it becomes imperative for India to post a big first-innings score. If there’s been one red flag for India, it’s in how they have started series overseas for a while now. This is a one-off game and there are no comebacks, so India’s energies must be trained on being switched on from the word go.

The Dukes ball and the conditions will seriously test the Indian batting. It is incumbent upon the top three of Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill and Cheteshwar Pujara to knuckle down and rely on the basics — decisive footwork, playing late and close to the body — to negate the considerable threat of the crack new-ball pairing of Tim Southee and Trent Boult.

The experienced Rohit Sharma will be determined to reaffirm his credentials as a red-ball opener, a role he has flourished in since his elevation in 2019. Pujara’s record in England isn’t as impressive in other parts, but he has been on previous Test tours there and has had a taste of county cricket, which he will try to put to good use.

If the top three do their job, it will allow the middle order to express itself. As always, the captain and his deputy will hold the key, and fortunately for India, both Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane know what it takes to score hundreds in England.

New Zealand will not concede an inch, but if India play to their potential, I foresee only one result. That said the occasion is greater than the result, this is just the fillip Test cricket needs, and nothing can gladden the connoisseur more.

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