IMAGES from Day 1 of the WTC Final between Australia and South Africa at Lord's on Wednesday
India will set themselves up as Australia's opponents in that final if they win the fourth Test in Ahmedabad next week.
Rabada spent a month on the sidelines at the Indian Premier League after testing positive for a recreational drug at this year's SA20 competition.
Former No. 1-ranked Test batter Marnus Labuschagne and Usman Khawaja would open the innings for Australia in the WTC final against South Africa while the fit-again Cameron Green would bat at the No. 3 position.
India still need two more wins from the remaining three Tests of the series to guarantee themselves a place in the WTC final.
Off-spinner Nathan Lyon doesn't believe Australia's preparations for the World Test Championship final will be affected by the talk around the Ashes.
South Africa are confident they can chase down a spot in next year's World Test Championship final, even if they must win four of their remaining five Tests in the current two-year cycle
Hazlewood returned to Australia after reporting "minor side soreness" following his most recent IPL match for RCB
'You need all the departments to do well for you,' Rohit Sharma explained. 'And I thought our strength really has been all three departments.'
The legendary Sachin Tendulkar found senior off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin's exclusion from India's playing XI for the World Test Championship final baffling.
Australia dominated the proceedings on the opening day of the ICC World Test Championship final at the Oval.
India's 2-0 series sweep over Bangladesh in Mirpur on Sunday consolidated their position at the No 2 spot behind leaders Australia in the ICC World Test Championship standings.
Australia spinner Nathan Lyon termed Indian players as superstars' while hoping to revive his on-field rivalry with India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin.
India have recalled Ajinkya Rahane to reinforce their batting line-up, which will have to be at its best to negate the Australian attack.
Australia's senior batter Steve Smith has been ruled out of the remainder of the World Test Championship final against South Africa at Lord's after suffering a compound dislocation of his right pinkie on Friday.
Who do you think should be part of India's playing XI for the WTC final against Australia?
McDonald said team management were continually talking to senior players about their plans.
'1st look at Inaugural men's test championship wicket. Needs a shave.'
Ravi Shastri sounded sceptical about the possibility of players getting extended gap after the IPL or practice games ahead of future WTC final matches.
Lyon emphasised that the World Test Championship format removes the possibility of "dead rubbers" in individual series, ensuring that every match remains important and competitive, with every point carrying weight within the two-year cycle.
The surface displayed a cover of lush green grass, although it is worth noting that there are still a day remaining until the game begins.
'There's going to be a lot of logistics involved given the IPL final is only a week before the WTC final'
This is India's second appearance in the WTC final after losing the inaugural game in 2021 to New Zealand.
India face Australia in the WTC final on June 7 at The Oval in London.
Australia and India control their own destiny as they edge towards the conclusion of the competition
Head said the win was a culmination of the hard work put in over the last two years.
Former India coach Ravi Shastri has backed K L Rahul to seal his place as a wicketkeeper-batter for the World Test Championship final against Australia at The Oval in June.
The weather forecast for Day 6 of the World Test Championship Final looks promising
Rahane's comeback after 15 months was on predictable lines
Captain Rohit Sharma believes all individuals showed a lot of character and stepped up when needed to take India to the World Test Championship final for the second consecutive time.
With South Africa's seam attack featuring Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, and Marco Jansen and Australia having Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and the ever-dependable Josh Hazlewood in their lineup, the battle between the two sides' fast bowlers is likely to be critical in determining the outcome of the World Test Championship final, as per ICC website.
The truth of the matter is that India lost their second successive WTC final on day two of this encounter when they collapsed to 71/4 in response to Australia's first-innings total of 469.
Rohit Sharma blamed poor bowling in the first innings for their crushing defeat
Ahead of the start of the WTC Final, Australian players read out AI's prediction of the match, which got underway at the Oval.
Sri Lanka, who are third in the WTC rankings behind already qualified Australia and India, will need to beat New Zealand 2-0.
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.
Sourav Ganguly hoped that the seasoned batter makes "most" of the opportunity
A B de Villiers described South Africa's squad as a well-balanced unit and backed them to pull off an upset against defending champions Australia.
ICC Chief Executive Geoff Allardice said he was pleased to confirm two iconic venues for the next two cycles.
Cheteshwar Pujara will get a chance to sneak peek into Steve Smith's preparations ahead of the high-profile World Test Championship final, starting June 7, as the former Australian skipper gears up to play three English county games for Sussex this month.
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