India’s performance in the WTC Final 2023 could well be reflected by the performance of their lynchpin Virat Kohli. Not only Kohli is in great touch and carries big experience of playing in the English conditions, the 34-year-old also has the best record in England among the current batch of players that has traveled to England in the WTC Final squad.
The Oval Stadium in London will play host to the second WTC Final between India and Australia. India lost the inaugural WTC Final in 2021 against New Zealand in Southampton.
Why Virat Kohli will be key for India’s chances in WTC Final 2023?
Indian Batting Maestro average of 33.32 in England is the best among the Indian batters selected for WTC Final 2023 with a minimum of 500 runs in England.
Amongst the active Indian players, KL Rahul has the best average of 34.11 in England, but Rahul will miss the WTC Final 2023 due to a thigh injury.
India captain and opener Rohit Sharma, who hit his first overseas Test century on the 2021 England tour, averages 42 in England, but he has overall scored 466 runs in 6 Tests there. The other opener, Shubman Gill, has played only a couple of Tests there and has failed to make an impact.
Senior middle-order batters Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane have plenty of experience in England but have mediocre averages of 29 and 26 respectively. Ravindra Jadeja has been in good form in Test cricket in the past few years, but he’s too struggled in England with a batting average of 29.
There’s no Rishabh Pant for India this time; Pant averages a decent 32 in England.
So, Kohli’s experience and success in England, in particular on the 2018 tour, will have to come to fore for India to come with a favorable result in the World Test Championship Final.
Former Australia white-ball captain Aaron Finch has already suggested that the performances of Virat Kohli and Steve Smith, the two best batters of their respective teams, is more than likely to determine the outcome of the World Test Championship Final 2023.
Speaking with Star Sports, Aaron Finch said: “Both batting at number four, so the key is to try and get them as early as possible, early wickets to expose them to the brand new ball will be absolutely key. I will always side with Steve Smith, I think his record is outstanding, but it will be a very good contest.”
