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SPORTS JUNE 18, 2021 | The Indian Eye 44
cricKeT aT a gLaNce
wTc Final: who could be the match-winner
for india – ashwin or Shami?
India will play New Zealand from June 18 at the Ageas Bowl, Southampton to
decide the first champion side of the longest format
Our Bureau
and who can be the highest
Southampton wicket-taker in the upcoming
marquee event. “I will back
hile pundits keep Cheteshwar Pujara to get the
talking about India’s
Wpace battery, spinner highest scorer title in this Test
Ravichandran Ashwin is a vital match. If India has to win, you
cog of the much-famed Indian have to keep Pujara for your
No.3 -- if India loses early wick-
bowling attack. To bring statis- ets. If he goes on to bat for 3-4
tics into play, he is the first bowl- hours in this Test match, I think
er in the 143-year history of Test India will be in a very good posi-
cricket to dismiss 200 left-hand-
ed batsmen. tion. So, I am backing Pujara to
And former England spin- be the highest run-scorer in this
Test match.
ner Monty Panesar believes “I will put cricketing logic
Ashwin could hold the key for aside and I will back India to
India when they take on New win this Test match. I think Mo-
Zealand in the final of the in-
augural World Test Champion- hammad Shami holds the key
ship in Southampton. The Kiwi to the Indian bowling attack.
batting line-up is studded with Ravichandran Ashwin Yes, Bumrah and Ishan Sharma
have been bowling and prepar-
left-handers and it could be just ing well, but I think Mohammad
the motivation the off-spinner Shami is key. The way he has
needs to go the extra mile. been bowling in England and he
“I think New Zealand is
quite a good team and Conway has done really well in all condi-
had a great game against En- tions,” Parthiv pointed.
But former India bowling
gland. They have got few left- all-rounder Irfan Pathan had
handers in there so I am sure some contrasting views in com-
Ashwin will probably be the parison to Parthiv. Irfan said:
first-choice spinner,” Panesar “WTC Final, it’s the biggest Test
told ANI.
“New Zealand looks a better match ever. I think New Zealand
team than I think a lot of people will have a 55-45 advantage. I
also think Kane Williamson will
thought in England and they are be the highest scorer. And, in
kind of playing like a number terms of highest wicket-taker, it
one team in the world. I think it will be between Trent Boult and
is going to be a great Test match
between the two sides and it’s Mohammad Shami Mohammad Shami.”
not going to be easy for India,” Kohli, pant, rohit hold onto
he mentioned. for New Zealand,” the former highest run-scorer in the inau- their icc spots
“But with the weath- spinner added. gural ICC World Test Champi- New Zealand opening
er around and so many left- onship final between India and batsman Devon Conway on
handers in the New Zealand parthiv and pathan bet on New Zealand in Southampton. Wednesday entered the ICC
squad, Ashwin could be the shami
match-winner in this final. The Speaking on Star Sports Men’s Test Player Rankings in
difference is going to be Ashwin, Former Team India wick- show Cricket Connected, the 77th position with a record
I think Tim Southee is bowling et-keeper Parthiv Patel believes Parthiv gave his views on who 447 rating points, the highest
Cheteshwar Pujara will be the might score the maximum runs
well, he could be the difference Continued on next page... >>
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