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Former Australia captain Ian Chappell believes that Australia have an advantage of over India in the WTC Final 2023 because of two main reasons: India are depleted in resources and the match will be played in English conditions.
The WTC Final 2023 is less than a week away. Australia finished at the top of the WTC 2023 cycle points table and India right behind them at second spot. The final will be played at The Oval from June 7.
While India have had the better of Australia in the last 4 bilateral Test series between the two teams, having defeated Australia twice at home and twice away, playing in English conditions is a different challenge for the Asian giants, Chappel reckons.
Due to injuries, India will be without the services of four key players: Jasprit Bumrah, Rishabh Pant, Shreyas Iyer, and KL Rahul.
Ian Chappell feels that had Bumrah and Pant been available, India would have been the favorites
However, with both of them ruled out, plus factoring in the English conditions in early June, where the Aussie seamers will get plenty of help which would worry the Indian batters, he believes, this is a recipe for Australia to add a Test mace to their cabinet.
“The injuries to Jasprit Bumrah and Rishabh Pant badly affect India, as they would be outright favourites with these two playing. With the match being played under English conditions, this slightly favours the strong Australian pace attack,” Ian Chappell wrote in his column for ESPNcricinfo.
The Australian batting great, though, gives India plus points over Australia in the spin department.
“India have an advantage in spin bowling because of Ravindra Jadeja’s ability to bat in the top six, which allows them the luxury of including the efficient R Ashwin. While Nathan Lyon is a good bowler, he will be Australia’s sole spinner. However, this shouldn’t be detrimental in England, as allrounder Cameron Green’s genuine pace is well suited to the conditions,” he added.
A major aspect that Ian Chappell believes will play a key part in the outcome of the WTC Final is the mental attitude of the two teams.
“Mental strength will play a huge part in this Test. The team that displays the most resilience is likely to win as long as the contest is not unduly affected by bad weather. Being able to maintain a decent line and length under attack is now mandatory in the tougher series, and a fully fit Australian attack should benefit if the opposition are overzealous,” he asserted.
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