WTC Final: Oval Pitch: The Indian cricket team has received major setbacks in their pursuit to win the World Test Championship title. While the absence of Rishabh Pant, Jasprit Bumrah, KL Rahul, and Shreyas Iyer has already put India on the back foot, the recent images of The Oval pitch have shocked Indian cricket fans. Follow WTC Final Live Updates with InsideSport.IN.
In the image that has been circulating on social media, fans saw that the pitch and the ground had a similar level of grass on it. Notably, WTC Final between India and Australia will be held from 7th June to 11th June 2023 at The Oval, London. While India celebrated a memorable Test series win against Australia earlier this year, the green surface will surely concern the side.
Having lost the final of the inaugural WTC edition to New Zealand in 2021, the Indian team secured their place in the final following Sri Lanka’s heartbreaking defeat against the defending champions earlier this year. On the other hand, Australia reached the final for the first time after a good season in red-ball cricket.
Team India’s struggle on Green Pitches
Indian team’s struggle against swing and bounce on a green pitch is nothing new. While the current Indian players have evolved in facing swinging deliveries, their confident approach hasn’t always translated into wins. Be it at Basin Reserve or at Wanderers, the Men in Blue has consistently struggled on green surfaces against the tall pacers. However, skipper Rohit Sharma will feel confident in English conditions this time around as he was the highest run-scorer for the side, scoring 368 runs in four Tests in England in 2020-21.
No Soft Signal ABOLISHED
Days before the WTC final, the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced a few rule changes to the playing conditions of the international games. The committee headed by Sourav Ganguly on Monday announced that Umpires will no longer be required to give a soft signal while referring decisions to the TV umpires.
“Soft signals have been discussed at previous cricket committee meetings over the last couple of years. The committee deliberated this at length and concluded that soft signals were unnecessary and at times confusing since referrals of catches may seem inconclusive in replays.”
ICC Chairman Sourav Ganguly said
Another rule that will come into effect from June 1 is the use of Floodlights in case of poor light. The ICC also confirmed that there will be a sixth reserve day in the WTC final between India and Australia.
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