Australia vs India, ICCWTCF 2023, Today Match Prediction

aus vs ind Match Prediction & Analysis

Following a grueling campaign in the Indian Premier League, Team India's players are all set to redirect their efforts towards the much-awaited World Test Championship 2023 (WTC) final against Australia. Mark your calendars for June 7, as The Oval in London becomes the battleground for the final showdown of the WTC 2021-2023 cycle, featuring Rohit Sharma's squad facing off against Pat Cummins’ Australia. India have been fantastic in Test cricket of late, and defeated Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2-1 in March this year. However, getting past this strong Australian team at a neutral venue will be a real challenge.  

 

TEAMS PREVIEW

Australia Preview

This is Australia's first appearance in the WTC finals. They reached the final, topping the WTC 2021-23 cycle points table with a 66.67 point percentage (PCT) in its 19 matches. They have been a dominant force in red-ball cricket for the past 18 months, remaining undefeated on their home turf. Even during arduous away tours in Sri Lanka and India, they showcased unwavering resolve, resilience, and a commendable display of patience. In the absence of Josh Hazlewood, the remarkably consistent Scott Boland will come into the side.

Players to look out for:

Usman Khawaja: The experienced Aussie opener has been in incredible touch in the 2021-2023 WTC cycle, amassing a whopping 1608 runs in 16 matches at an average of nearly 70 with 6 hundreds and 7 fifties. In 2023, Khawaja is the leading run-getter for Australia in Tests with 528 runs in 5 games at an average of 75.42.

Steve Smith: Smith might have had a quiet series against India earlier this year, but he will undoubtedly be the most prized scalp for the opposition. Moreover, his record at the Oval is almost Bradmanesque – an average of 97.75 across 3 Tests with two hundreds. 

Marnus Labuschagne: In 8 Tests in 2023, Labuschagne has scored 323 runs at an average of 46.14. He’s also Australia’s second-highest run-getter in this WTC cycle, collecting 1509 runs in 19 matches at an average of 53.89.

Pat Cummins: The Aussie captain will be quite a handful on this surface. The right-arm pacer has had a decent 2023, grabbing 7 wickets in 3 Tests at an average of 27.85. More importantly, though, he has taken 29 wickets in 5 Tests in England at an outstanding average of 19.62.

Mitchell Starc: Starc hasn’t had the best of seasons, but he’s still Australia’s third-highest wicket-taker in this WTC cycle, taking 51 wickets in 16 Tests at an average of 27.27. His sharp in swinging yorkers can trouble the Indian batters.

 

Australia Predicted Playing XI:

David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (c), Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland

Australia Actual Playing XI:

Scott Boland, Nathan Lyon, Pat Cummins, Marnus Labuschagne, Alex Carey, Mitchell Starc, Steven Smith, Usman Khawaja, Cameron Green, David Warner, Travis Head

India Preview

Led by Rohit Sharma, India is gearing up for their second WTC final after an impressive 2-1 win over Australia in the Border Gavaskar Trophy. Before that, they effortlessly clinched a 2-0 triumph against Bangladesh in a two-match series. 

Although they will be without many of their regulars, India still looks very strong.

Players to look out for:

Rohit Sharma: Despite his recent struggles in the IPL, captain Rohit has transformed his Test match game tremendously. He has 700 runs in this WTC cycle in 10 matches at an average of 43.75. Moreover, the last time Rohit played at the Oval, in 2021, he scored a sublime 127 against England in a match-winning effort.

Cheteshwar Pujara: He has been a thorn for Australia for a while now, and averages 50.82 against them across 24 matches. Over the past few months in England, Pujara has been representing Surrey in the County Championship, making him the most well-prepared Indian batsman for this match. With an impressive average of 68.12, the right-handed batsman has amassed 582 runs in 8 innings in the series.

Mohammed Shami: In the absence of Bumrah, Shami will be leading India’s pace bowling attack. With the ability to generate swing in either direction, he poses a significant threat on English pitches. Shami's Test match resume in England includes 13 matches played and an impressive haul of 38 wickets.

Mohammed Siraj: Having made his debut in Australia, Siraj has made remarkable progress and now plays a crucial role in India's current pace attack. Entrusted with the responsibility of partnering Shami in taking the new ball and achieving early breakthroughs, Mohammed Siraj has shown remarkable growth since his debut in Australia. Notably, he has performed well in England, taking 18 wickets across 5 Test matches. 

Ravichandran Ashwin: Although India had gone with Shardul Thakur ahead of Ashwin on their previous tour of England, the wily off-spinner should make the cut here courtesy of his exceptional record against Australia. Ashwin has bagged 114 wickets against the Aussies in just 22 Tests. He consistently troubled Smith and Labuschagne in the recent Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

 

India Predicted Playing XI:

Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Ravindra Jadeja, KS Bharat (wk), Shardul Thakur/ Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohammad Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Umesh Yadav/Jaydev Unadkat

India Actual Playing XI:

Mohammed Siraj, Ajinkya Rahane, Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja, KS Bharat, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Umesh Yadav, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Shami

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

The pitch at Kennington Oval is an even playing surface that boasts considerable bounce. Spinners are expected to exert control with the old ball and quick bowlers should generate movement. Historically, the Kennington Oval pitch is excellent for batting for the first three days. With its dry texture, the surface allows for increased bounce and carry, enabling the ball to scuff up and generate the sought-after reverse swing.

The weather in London during the first three days of the Test is expected to be sunny and partly cloudy. There could be a couple of afternoon showers on the fourth day, but the final day will again be warm with clouds and sun.

Venue Details

The average 1st innings total at the Kennington Oval is 345 and the average 2nd innings total at the venue is 279. The highest total posted here is 664 by India against England in 2007. The team batting first here must look to post a total of at least 380-400 runs.

Toss: To Bat

The Kennington Oval usually helps the team batting first. Out of the 15 Tests played here, 53% have been won by the team batting first. With the weather expected to be clear and sunny for the first three days, expect the team winning the toss to bat first in this match.