Ahead of the marquee ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final between India and Australia, the players involved and former cricketers have indulged in a critical debate leading up to the summit clash. The discussion has grown of late about the lack of match practice for Aussie players while Indian cricketers enter the final on the back of a lengthy Indian Premier League (IPL) season where they have played a ton of cricket.
For Australia, except for David Warner and Cameron Green, who were involved in the IPL and Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne, who played County cricket, the remaining players in Australia's WTC final squad are fresh and lack match practice heading into a big-ticket finale.
For India, except for Cheteshwar Pujara, all the players in the WTC final squad were part of the IPL. While Pujara missed the IPL, he was in England playing County cricket. Thus, all Indian players have had match practice leading up to the big-ticket title contest.
Reacting to the difference between the two sides when it comes to match practice, former Australia captain Ricky Ponting suggested that Indian players might be tired after a lengthy IPL season and it might backfire while the Baggy Greens are fresh and rearing to go.
"The interesting thing as far as preparation is concerned is that some of the Australians have done nothing. They haven't been playing any cricket at all. At least, all the Indian guys have been playing very competitive cricket in the IPL. So coming in fresh without any cricket, is that better or is it coming in maybe slightly jaded and slightly tired on the back of an IPL but having played a lot of cricket leading in? So there's lots of factors that could show up through the course of this week," Ponting said during his recent conversation with Star Sports as well.
In an exclusive interview with the Sports Tak, former India captain and legendary batter, Sunil Gavaskar doesn't seem to agree with Ponting's assessment. The cricketer-turned-pundit came up with a counter to Ponting's opinion and said it is important for players to have miles under their feet for a high-octane clash like the WTC final.
"I will give the edge to India. I don't agree with the fact that the conditions favour Australia. Neither is the fact that some of the Australians have been resting is going to be an advantage. For a big match, you need miles under your feet. And most of the Indian players have done that. Even one player who was not in the IPL, Pujara was playing County Cricket and was scoring centuries for fun. So yes, the Indians are in a better position,” Gavaskar said.
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