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The much anticipated World Test Championship (WTC) final clash between the heavyweights India and Australia finally kicked off at the Oval in London on Wednesday (June 7). India skipper Rohit Sharma won the toss and opted to field first in the marquee clash against Australia. The five-day high-voltage clash is expected to break umpteen records with star studded players decorating the dug-outs of both the sides.
Kohil, Rohit bust Dhoni's record
Meanwhile, Rohit and Virat Kohli stormed into record books the moment they entered the Oval's ground. The star India duo snapped the legendary MS Dhoni's rare record in the WTC final against Australia as they have now featured in more finals in ICC tournaments. Notably, Dhoni took part in five ICC finals during his illustrious career while Kohli and Rohit got one better than the former India skipper. WTC final marked sixth ICC final for Kohli and Rohit.
Dhoni featured in the finals of T20 World Cup 2007, ODI World Cup 2011, Champions Trophy 2013, T20 World Cup 2014, and Champions Trophy 2017. Out of the five finals he took part in, Dhoni clinched the first three of them however lost the following two.
Follow INDIA vs AUSTRALIA's WTC Final's live scores here
Meanwhile, Rohit has so far featured in the finals of T20 World Cup 2007, Champions Trophy 2013, T20 World Cup 2014, Champions Trophy 2017, World Test Championship final 2021, and World Test Championship final 2023. As far as Kohli's records are concerned, he has been part of final clashes in ODI World Cup 2011, Champions Trophy 2013, T20 World Cup 2014, Champions Trophy 2014, World Test Championship 2021 and 2023. Interestingly, the star Indian duo has won two ICC finals for the Men in Blue.
Yuvraj tops the chart
Meanwhile, former India's star all-rounder Yuvraj Singh holds the record of featuring in most seven ICC final for Team India. During his stint with India, he featured in the ICC finals during Knockout Tournament 2000, Champions Trophy 2002, ODI World Cup 2003, T20I World Cup 2007, ODI World Cup 2011, T20 World Cup 2014, and Champions Trophy 2017. Out of the seven ICC finals he took part in, Yuvraj clinched two ICC trophies twice which came in T20 World Cup 2007 and ODI World Cup 2011.
Talking about the match, Rohit won the toss and elected to bowl first against Australia in the WTC final. However, he made a shocking change in India's playing XI by dropping ace spinner R Ashwin and played an extra seamer at the Oval.
Captains' comments
“We are going to bowl. Just the conditions and also the weather being overcast. I don't think the pitch will change too much. You have to play good cricket and come out on top. Four seamers and one spinner. The spinner is Jadeja. It's always tough (to leave Ashwin), he's been a match-winner for us over the course of so many years. But you got to do the things that's needed for the team and eventually we came up with that decision. He (Rahane) brings a lot of experience, he's played 80-odd Test matches and he's done well for the team. He's been out for a while but but I don't think the experience that he has can change all of that,” Rohit said after winning the toss.
Meanwhile, Australian skipper Pat Cummins said,"We would have bowled as well, I don't think it makes too much of a difference. Hopefully day four and five, there's a bit of spin. You think it suits his (Boland) bowling, he's in the same spot all day long. This wicket has a bit of grass, he'll be a key weapon. We've been here for about 10 days. Pretty fresh, weather has been nice, we haven't missed a session, feeling good."
India's Playing XI: Rohit Sharma(c), Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Srikar Bharat(w), Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj.
Australia's Playing XI: David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey(w), Pat Cummins(c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland.
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