After New Zealand’s thrilling victory over Sri Lanka in the first Test match in Christchurch, India’s Test Championship Final berth was secured. Although India’s fourth and final Test against Australia was a draw, New Zealand’s victory means that both teams will compete for the Test Mace later this year at The Oval.
Following the fourth Test match, Indian captain Rohit Sharma stated that the team management will work to get the Indian players on the plane to England for the final as soon as they finish their Indian T20 League duties. India will face Australia in the final later this year, which will begin on June 7th.
The majority of the Indian Test team members will be competing in the upcoming edition of the Indian T20 League, which begins on March 31 and concludes on May 28th. However, Rohit Sharma has revealed that several members of India’s Test team will travel to England as six teams will be knocked out of the tournament by May 21st.
“By May 21st, six teams will be out of IPL so we will try to get those players early to UK,” Rohit said in the press conference.
“I think it’s quite critical (WTC Final) for us. We’re going to keep in constant touch with all players who are going to play that final and monitor their workload and see what’s happening with them,” said Sharma.
Sharma revealed that the team management will send Duke balls to the bowlers to practise for the six-day Test when they have time during the Indian T20 League. “We are sending some Duke balls to all fast bowlers but again, it all depends on individuals. Guys who will be part of the WTC Final are not the guys who have not played in UK.
“Maybe one or two guys here and there, rest of us have played in that part of the world. I don’t think it will be a huge problem but I believe in preparation and preparation will be key,” he said.
Here is how Twitter reacted to Rohit Sharma’s comments
As of history Virat, Puji all set to go to UK as none of them going to play playoffs ?? ee sala cup namde ??
— DJOKER?? (@AniketN_79) March 13, 2023
??? this guy has great sense of humour
— Sakthi Suriya??? (@SakthiSurya_18) March 13, 2023
He is trying to say, "Kohli ko sabse pehle bhej dege!"
— Krunal Modi (@modikrunal157) March 13, 2023
Ok, so Kohli's ticket booked early by default.
— CHIRAG BOGRA (@chiragbogra) March 13, 2023
Get all test players in the UK on the 15th of May, If BCCI is 1% serious about winning that trophy !
— Kunal Bajaj (@kunalbajaj70) March 13, 2023
Thank God! Our main players Virat and Siraj will reach early.
— Jagat Kumar (@JagatK_) March 13, 2023
MI – Rohit, SKY
GT – KS Bharat, Shubman Gill
RCB – Virat Kohli
LSG – KL Rahul,
CSK – Jadeja
RR – AshwinSo., SRH, KKR, KXIP, DC should play the Playoffs.
— Pavan Kumar Ponugoti ?? (@pavankumarppkn) March 13, 2023
Virat & Siraj can arrive in the UK early and kick off the preparations.
— KaKes KK? (@kakeskkd) March 13, 2023
Why can't they just send all players on 15th may itself, is ipl more imp than wtc??
— test_comeback (@100_52notout) March 13, 2023
So confirmed MI will be out of the Playoff Race too???
— Srinivasan Sridharan (@srin_srid0610) March 13, 2023
