The most anticipated question since 144 years ago, “who is the ultimate test champion?” is finally getting an answer as the foremost edition of the WTC final will be competed between two heavyweights
The underdogs’ Kiwis have played 5 test series., bagging 7 matches and losing 4 games in the championship. While Team India has played 6 test series., capturing 12 matches and lost 4 matches. Both the teams are surrounded by quality-impressing players as they battle for the ultimate championship in England at a neutral venue.
This clash will be a robust & nail-bitter historical match. To analyze further, here are the top 5 duels which will be witnessed in the WTC Final.
WTC Final 2021 Top Five Battles To Watch Out For
- Rohit Sharma vs Trent Bolt: Senior opening batsmen Rohit Sharma is one attacking batter and plays a pivotal role in accumulating runs for team India. He stands as the second-highest run-scorer in the list for India and in the whole 6th with a whopping 1030 runs.
The left-arm pacer Trent Boult is the third leading highest wicket-taker for New Zealand with 34 wickets in 9 games. He will share the responsibility to incur destruction and harvest his very own Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma.
- Tim Southee vs Virat Kohli: The forever-old arch-rivals will take on once again having Southee dismissing Virat for 10 times is the highest by any bowler. He is the alpha stellar pacer for Kiwis holding 51 wickets, including five fifers in WTC.
The century drought continues for Kohli, the challenging conditions will bring chills down the spine for the Indian captain against Southee as he holds a decent batting record in Southampton.
- Kane Williamson vs Jasprit Bumrah: After having a mediocre test series in Australia and missing out on the England Series, The ace pacer aims to make a strong comeback against the blackcaps in whites. The duke balls will be appreciated predominantly by the Indian pacers as well as the kiwis for generating incredible swing.
The captain of New Zealand shoulders major responsibility as he leads as the highest run-scorer for his team with 817 runs in just 14 innings, including two double tons, three centuries, and two fifties.
- Rishabh Pant vs Kylie Jamieson: The tall giant 6’8, Jamieson since his impressive test debut has ripped impressively. His short but successful career in WTC has scalped 36 wickets which has a ten wicket-haul, four fifers so far.
After silencing the critics the young Rishabh Pant will play an imperative role for team India. The wicket-keeper batsman has 662 in 18 innings with a century and four half-centuries. It will be eye-pleasing when Pant takes on Kylie and continues his precious recently gained form.
- R Ashwin vs Tom Latham: Veteran off-spinner R Ashwin exhibited a show of his caliber against Aussies and the Englishmen. He is the third-highest wicket-taker in WTC with 67 wickets tags under his belt. It will be a tactical battle between the kiwi’s opener Latham facing Ashwin in the WTC Final.
The vice-subordinate Tom Latham is a vital wicket of the black caps after Kane Williamson. He is ranked 12th in the ICC test ranking and has scored runs when the team needed the most. The fun is around the corner as the opener defends against a top-quality spin attack on June 18th.
Also Read: WTC Final 2021 Rules, ICC Announces Follow-On Rule for The World Test Championship