The battle of the two best Test teams in the world is upon us. World No.1 India are up against World No.2 Australia in the 2023 World Test Championship final at The Oval in London.
The two teams are all set for a battle of attrition over five days, starting on Wednesday, in a bid to win the WTC mace and claim the Test crown for the first time ever.
India and Australia faced off in a four-match series in India earlier this year, which was won by the home team 2-1. In fact, India have beaten Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy four times in a row.
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Regardless of the fate of the Border-Gavaskar battles in the recent past, it is Australia who go into the clash at The Oval as slight favourites.
The conditions in England should suit Australia’s pace-bowling attack despite the fact that Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out of the match.
More importantly, India’s spinners won’t be able to dominate the Australian batters like they did back in India. And India also have injury troubles, with Rishabh Pant, Jasprit Bumrah and KL Rahul all missing out.
Not to mention the fact that Australia’s key batsmen, Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne, have already acclimatised to the English conditions by playing the County Championship.
However, only a fool will write India off. Despite the fact most of the Indian team are coming into the red-ball cricket after a furiously-fast IPL season, they will be a force to be reckoned with. Especially, Virat Kohli who has been in a purple patch of late and seems to be brimming with confidence.
These two teams never disappoint when it comes to Test cricket and this should be no different. A Test classic might be in the offing.
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Australia vs India WTC Final 2023: Day 1 live score
| Australia | India |
| 1st Innings: | 1st Innings: |
| 2nd Innings: | 2nd Innings: |
MORE: Pitch report and Test records for The Oval
Australia vs India WTC Final 2023: Day 1 live updates
Follow our live updates below for all the action from Australia vs India World Test Championship Final 2023. (All times local, UK)
Clear skies predicted for opening day of WTC Final
At this stage, the weather gods look to be on the side of Australia and India, with clear skies predicted for The Oval on the opening day’s play.
Temperatures are set to rise up to 22 degrees during the day in London, with no rainfall expected.
Australia confirm WTC Final team
Australian skipper Pat Cummins have confirmed his final XI for the World Test Championship final, with cult hero Scott Boland earning the final place in the bowling attack.
Following the decision to withdraw Josh Hazlewood due to a niggling Achilles issue, the 34-year-old Victorian got the nod over Queensland all-rounder Michael Neser to partner Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon.
David Warner has retained his spot at the top of the order alongside Usman Khawaja, while rising star Cameron Green slots into the middle-order alongside Travis Head.
Australia XI vs India: David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland
India’s shot at redemption?
India had a great chance of winning the WTC mace last time out in 2021 where they played New Zealand in the final. But they shockingly lost a game which seemed to be heading for a tame draw.
This time around, they have a chance to make amends under a new leader in Rohit Sharma. but the Aussies will be keen on some revenge after losing in alien conditions in the subconitnent earlier this year.
Will the Men in Blue redeem themselves?
Last chance saloon for big names in India and Australia
The 2023 WTC Final might well be the last chance of several stalwarts to win Test cricket’s ultimate crown.
The likes of Usman Khawaja, David Warner, Nathan Lyon, Steve Smith and Mitchell Starc are all over 33 as are R Ashwin, Virat Kohli, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane and Rohit Sharma on the opposite camp.
Will this be the final shot at WTC glory for these players?
WTC Final 2023: Australia vs India tips, predictions and betting odds
| AUS win |
IND win |
Draw | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dafabet (India) |
1.95 | 2.72 | 5.60 |
| Ladbrokes (Australia) |
1.80 | 2.88 | 5.50 |
WTC Final 2023: Australia vs India TV, telecast details
In India
Australia vs India will be broadcast in several languages, across the following TV channels in India:
- Star Sports 1
- Star Sports 1 Hindi
- Star Sports 3
- Star Sports Select 1
- Star Sports Select 1 HD
- Star Sports HD1
In Australia
The WTC Final will be broadcast in Australia through free-to-air Channel Seven.
In the UK
Sky Sports Cricket will telecast the WTC Final live in the UK.
WTC Final 2023: Australia vs India live stream, mobile, online details
In India
Live streaming of this game will be provided on a subscription basis, exclusively through the Disney+ Hotstar app across a range of platforms in India.
In Australia
Live streaming of the WTC Final in Australia will be through 7Plus.
In the UK
SkyGo and Now will provide live streaming of the WTC Final in the UK.