Sunil Gavaskar – India has only Cheteshwar Pujara who has been playing in the English County Championship
Sunil Gavaskar, a legendary cricketer, believes that the biggest challenge for the Indian players when they play Australia in the World Test Championship (WTC) final next week will be getting out of the IPL T20 mode while Rohit Sharma’s team will play the WTC final at The Oval from June 7 to June 11.
Sunil Gavaskar, a legendary cricketer, believes that the biggest challenge for the Indian players when they play Australia in the World Test Championship (WTC) final next week will be getting out of the IPL T20 mode.
Rohit Sharma’s team will play the WTC final at The Oval from June 7 to June 11 with a majority of the players having come through the rigorous IPL. The IPL concluded on Monday with Chennai Super Kings winning the trophy for a record-tying fifth time.
“The biggest test will be the fact that just about everybody will be coming out of a T20 format, and Test cricket is a longer format. So, I think that’s going to be the big challenge,”
said Gavaskar on Star Sports on Tuesday.
He added that among all the Indian players only veteran batter Cheteshwar Pujara was well acclimatized to the longer format as he has been playing county cricket.
“They (India) have only Cheteshwar Pujara who has been playing in the English County Championship, so he will be the only guy who has played the longer format in these conditions, so that’s going to be the big challenge for them.”
Regarding Ajinkya Rahane, who after a long-form slump has come back brilliantly in the IPL and helped CSK win the title this season, Gavaskar said the 34-year-old’s experience of English conditions will be advantageous to the team.
“He’s got a lot of experience having played in England, having scored runs in England. So, yes, I think he is going to be crucial down at number 5. And yes, I do believe he has a point to prove, I still feel he has got plenty of cricket left in him, and this is a wonderful opportunity for him.”
The cricketer-turned-commentator hoped Rahane will make the most of the chance presented to him to extend his professional career.
“I’m hoping he will be able to grab this opportunity with all the experience that he has and make a place for him back in the Indian team.”
PTI AM AM AH AH
