In the aftermath of India’s 209-run defeat in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final, Rohit Sharma, the Indian captain, voiced his dissatisfaction by attributing the loss to factors such as timing, venue, and format.
“Why after the IPL final? Why cannot it be in March? June is not the only month suitable for playing the final,” expressed Sharma, who himself scored just 58 runs during the final match.
According to him, the final can be scheduled at any time of the year and held in any location worldwide, rather than being limited to England alone. Sharma also advocated for a three-match series, emphasizing the importance of having multiple opportunities instead of a single chance after two years of hard work.
Gavaskar Counters Sharma’s Argument
Responding to Sharma’s remarks, former Indian Test cricketer Sunil Gavaskar pointed out that the format of the WTC had been determined long before the final took place. He emphasized that teams should be aware of the rules and prepare accordingly.
“The format of the tournament was decided a long time ago. You also know about the rules and must prepare according to them. IPL has one final, and you don’t ask for three matches to hand over the trophy to the winner. Before the first ball of the WTC was bowled, you knew it would have one final. So you can’t ask for more games,” stated Gavaskar, asserting the significance of accepting and adapting to the predetermined format.
India’s Struggle in the WTC Final
In both 2021 and 2023, Indian batters failed to exhibit their dominance in the WTC final, resulting in defeat on both occasions. The team faced an eight-wicket loss against New Zealand in the 2021 edition, followed by the recent 209-run defeat against the same opponent.
Looking Ahead
While the disappointment of losing the WTC final may still linger, Indian cricket will undoubtedly analyze the performance and strategize for future tournaments. The dialogue sparked by Rohit Sharma’s remarks and Sunil Gavaskar’s response reflects the ongoing discussions surrounding the format and scheduling of prestigious cricket events. As the cricketing world moves forward, it remains to be seen if any modifications will be made to the structure of the WTC or other similar tournaments.
