Former players Irfan Pathan and Parthiv Patel believe pace bowler Mohammed Shami will the hold the key for India with the ball in the upcoming ICC World Test Championship against New Zealand.
India all-rounder Shardul Thakur said the WTC final is a once-in-a-lifetime-opportunity.
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Travis Head's counter-attacking hundred and his unbroken 251-run stand with Steve Smith put Australia in charge on 327/3 on the opening day of the WTC final against India.
Hazlewood makes the cut as Australia confirm WTC final squad
New Zealand captain Kane Williamson is excited to face India in the ICC World Test Championships (WTC) final next month as he considers showdowns against Virat Kohli's men to be a 'fantastic challenge'.
The opening day of the ICC World Test Championship final between India and New Zealand was called off due to persistent rain, in Southampton, on Friday.
Conway, who is among the three uncapped players in the 20-man squad, feels the camp back home in Lincoln ahead of the tour was ideal. New Zealand play with the Kookaburra at home.
India's chances of reaching the World Test Championship finals (WTC) took a major hit as they slipped to the fifth spot in standings following their embarrassing 0-2 series whitewash to South Africa at home.
'If IPL would have gone on they would have had a smaller preparation but now they will be a lot more conditioned, their bowlers will have their loads up.'
ICC acting CEO Geoff Allardice said that would be possible only 'in a perfect world'.
Brendon McCullum predicted a 'ripping match' when India and New Zealand clash in the inaugural WTC final
Trent Boult, who has played 73 Test for New Zealand, said he expects a bit of banter between the rival players since they are all familiar with each other due to the Indian Premier League.
India knocked England out of contention from the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final in June with their 10-wicket triumph in the day-night third Test in Motera which propelled the hosts to the top of the standings.
Cheteshwar Pujara, leading Sussex, scored a century in the first innings against Durham in the the County Championship Division Two match.
The inaugural WTC final is scheduled to be held in Southampton from June 18-22.
South Africa's leading paceman Kagiso Rabada says it is time to move on from the euphoria of beating Australia in the World Test Championship final while admitting a belated major trophy success has come as a relief to his team.
With the WTC final set to get underway shortly after the IPL, India skipper Rohit Sharma said the players' workloads will be closely monitored.
If India goes on to win the inaugural ICC World Test Championship title, it could prove to be the watershed moment for the revival of the longest format just like the 2007 World T20 triumph did for the popularity of the shortest format, said Cheteshwar Pujara.
With Australia completely dominating the proceedings on Day 1 of the WTC Final, many questioned why R Ashwin was picked in the playing XI.
Bharat explained how Dhoni sharing his valuable tips could help him if he gets the team management's nod for the big game at The Oval from Wednesday.
'I don't know how we approach this kind of an itinerary where you go for a holiday in between and then come back to play Test matches. One week break was enough post the WTC final. The thing is you need to play continuously. I am amazed this itinerary was approved.'
Rahane stands at crossroads in his comeback Test
Boland experienced English conditions on a tour with an Indigenous team of cricketers in 2018 and Cummins said he was convinced the 34-year-old would not need to overhaul his bowling approach to succeed.
Panesar also expects the ICC to prepare a neutral wicket and not a green top as the WTC is supposed to be a good advert for the five-day game.
'Congratulations Team India for winning the series and getting to the finals of WTC'
Speaking as quoted by Fox Sports, Waugh said, "I think they have picked the team on winning these last two Test matches."
Quarantine restrictions might hamper the Indian team's preparations for next month's ICC World Test Championship final against New Zealand but bowling coach Bharat Arun and fielding coach Ramakrishnan Sridhar feel that the players' abundant experience will be enough to counter that challenge.
South Africa are the World Test champions and skipper Temba Bavuma wants them to play like it and prove their credentials in the two-Test series against India beginning on Friday.
Mhambrey said while the bowlers will get some rest in days leading up to the WTC final, the group is determined to extract the maximum benefits from the training sessions.
New Zealand pacer Trent Boult is hopeful that achieving game fitness rather than bowling in the nets will put him in 'good stead' in the upcoming ICC World Test Championship final against India.
Australia head coach Andrew McDonald hinted at a rejig in the top order after misfiring in the World Test Championship final defence against South Africa at Lord's.
Parthiv Patel believes that Virat Kohli's exhibition with the bat will hold the way into India's possibilities in the WTC final.
IMAGES from Day 3 of the 3rd Test played between India and Australia in Indore on Friday.
Given the Indian batting line-up's weakness against swinging deliveries, New Zealand could go in with an all-pace attack with the pitch likely to offer pace and bounce.
The ICC is ready to sanction four-day Tests for smaller nations in the 2027-29 World Test Championship cycle but India, Australia and England can still play the traditional five-day matches.
Australia stormed to the top of the ICC World Test Championship 2025 standings with a thumping 10-wicket victory over India in the second Test at Adelaide.
Winning the inaugural ICC World Test Championship against India is one of the proudest achievements for any New Zealander, according to Kiwi pacer Trent Boult.
India has lost three finals and on four occasion it bit dust at the semifinal stage. It also made an exit at the preliminary stage of the 2021 T20 World Cup.
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