The Indian Premier League 2023 is over and the WTC final has everyone’s focus now where we will see team India take on Australia in London’s Oval Stadium from June 7 to 11. Team India will give their shot for the second time in the final as in the inaugural edition of World Test Championship also the team reached the finals and competed against New Zealand, where they ended up being runner ups. This time the big challenge for India will be to adapt quickly to the English conditions as they were involved in IPL for almost two months at their home.
Rahane is back in the team
Except Cheteshwar Pujara, who spent his summers playing county cricket for Sussex in England, every other player of the the squad and extra players were busy in the IPL. However most of them are in good form and will hope to keep the momentum in London. The final will also mark the return of Ajinkya Rahane who has been summoned back to the squad after 15 months. Since he was dropped from the team , Rahane led Mumbai in Ranji trophy and was also the part of winning squad Chennai Super Kings in the IPL 2023.
Gavaskar about Rahane
Rahane has displayed good form in domestic cricket and we also saw his astonishing batting skills in the IPL 2023. India’s former batsman and the Legendary Sunil Gavaskar also believes that Rahane will play a crucial role in India’s batting line-up at the World Test Final , he also expects a good performance from him .
Gavaskar stated that “He has a point to prove” after being dropped from the team. He has a lot of experience having played cricket in England and also scored many runs here, So, yes, I think he is going to be a determining factor coming at number 5. Gavaskar also said “I still feel he has got plenty of cricket left in him and this is a big opportunity for him, I am hoping he will seize this golden opportunity with all the experience he has and will make his place to the Indian team.”
Rahane had a good IPL season
In the 2022-2023 Ranji trophy, Ajinkya Rahane had a great expedition as he accumulated 634 runs in 11 innings with an average of 57.63. He also had a good season this year in IPL 2023 , He finished as fourth highest run-scorer from the Yellow Brigade. He had a strike rate of 172.48 this season and he scored 326 runs from 11 innings.
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