WTC 2023 Final, IND vs AUS: Prediction, Squad, Playing 11, Match Officials, Weather Forecast for 5 Days, Head-to-Head Record | ICC World Test Championship Final 2023

WTC 2023 Final, IND vs AUS: After the conclusion of the Indian Premier League, it is obvious that most cricket fans are impatiently waiting for the World Test Championship final, which is scheduled to be played between Australia and India at The Oval Cricket Ground in London between June 7 and June 11. June 12 will be reserve day if the play is interrupted due to inclement weather.

Australia finished first in the World Test Championship rankings with 66.67 percent and 152 points, while India were second with 58.8 percent and 127 points. The top two teams in the points table move into the final.

This is the first-ever neutral test match and also the first-ever test match that will be played in the month of June at The Oval. The first test match was played in 1880 at this venue.

Also Read: IND VS Aus, WTC Final Day 1 LIVE Score Updates: Team India faces stern test against Australia in World Test Championship Final at The Oval

WTC 2023 Final, IND vs AUS: Match Officials

Chris Gaffaney of New Zealand and Richard Illingworth of England will be the two on-field umpires for the match. They will be assisted by Richard Kettleborough of England, who has been appointed as the TV umpire. Kumar Dharmasena of Sri Lanka will serve as the fourth umpire, and the match official will be West Indian Richie Richardson.

Also Read: WTC 2023 Final IND vs AUS: Check date, time, venue, squad, Tickets, Live streaming details of India vs Australia | ICC World Test Championship Final 2023

IND vs AUS WTC 2023 Final: Updated Squads

India Squad for the WTC final: Rohit Sharma (captain), Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, KS Bharat (wicket keeper), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Shardul Thakur, Mohd. Shami, Mohd. Siraj, Umesh Yadav, Jaydev Unadkat, Ishan Kishan (wicket keeper)
Standby players: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Mukesh Kumar, Suryakumar Yadav

India Playing 11: Rohit Sharma (captain), Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, KS Bharat (wicket-keeper), Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Umesh Yadav, Mohd. Shami, Mohd.Siraj.

Also See: IND vs AUS: ICC WTC Final - India squad for World Test Championship Final

Australia squad for the WTC final: Pat Cummins (captain), Scott Boland, Alex Carey (wicket-keeper), Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Michael Neser, Travis Head, Josh Inglis (wicket-keeper), Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Todd Murphy, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, David Warner
Standby players: Mitch Marsh, Matthew Renshaw

Australia Playing 11: David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Alex Carey (wicket-keeper), Travis Head, Cameron Green, Pat Cummins (captain), Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland, Nathan Lyon.

Also See: IND vs AUS: ICC WTC Final - Australia squad for World Test Championship Final

WTC 2023 Final, IND vs AUS: Weather Forecast for 5 Days:

Unpredictable weather conditions in England could play a major role in deciding the winner of the WTC final. It is expected that the temperature will be between 18 and 22 degrees Celsius during the five days of play. The weather is expected to be clear for the first two days, with a chance of patchy rain on the third and fourth days. If it is overcast, pacers are likely to get an edge. However, sunny weather is most likely to assist spinners once cracks appear on the pitch.  

WTC 2023 Final, IND vs AUS: Pitch Report:

The pitch at The Oval is ideal for batters in the first inning. The team that wins the toss usually chooses to bat. Quick bowlers generally don't get support during the start of the match at this ground. However, cracks on the pitch in later stages may help spinners, pushing batsmen to struggle.

If the surface sprouts some grass, it helps pacers bowl well at The Oval. However, county games have been played at the track, and the surface is expected to be less grassy.

If the weather is cloudy, fast bowlers will get the benefit, and batters will find it difficult.

WTC 2023 Final, IND vs AUS: Head-to-Head Record:

India and Australia have played 106 Test matches against each other so far. While Australia have an edge with 44 wins, India have emerged victorious in 32 Tests. A total of 29 matches were drawn while one was tied between the two teams. 

However, when it comes to Test series, both have played 28 series series so far, from the start of the 1947/48 season until the recent Border-Gavaskar Trophy in the 2022-23 season. While Australia have won 12 of them, India managed to win 11. Five series ended in a draw. 

WTC 2023 Final, IND vs AUS: Prediction:

Though India appears a better side on paper against Australia, the Kangaroos have come through the grind of playing against top sides and can't be taken lightly.

India have an edge over Australia since the former have good depth in their batting lineup and have a good mix of seamers and spinners. Their top-order batsmen, Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma, is a reliable duo, while the likes of Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, and Ajinkya Rahane form a formidable middle order. In the lower order, Jadeja and Ashwin have the ability to turn the match on its head.

In terms of bowling, India are decked out with three seamers, Shami, Siraj, and Shardul, and two spinners, Jadeja and Ashwin. It is yet to be known who makes the final XI, but India have many bowling options that can be used depending on playing conditions and the pitch. 

For Australia, if their top-order batters stay at the crease for long, they can do a lot of damage to India. With Waner, Khawaja, Labuschagne, and Smith, Australia have fierce top and middle orders. However, if they don't click, Australia don't have experienced batters in the lower order to move the team out of dire straits. 

Australia's bowling lineup suffered a blow when Josh Hazlewood was ruled out of the WTC final due to an injury. But they still have a good lineup of pacers in Boland, Starc, and Cummins. Their only experienced spin option on the team is Nathan Lyon, and if Australia want another spin option, they can have Todd Murphy in the squad.

Both teams have the chance to become the first team to win all four major ICC trophies (the ICC Cricket World Cup, the ICC T20 World Cup, the ICC Champions Trophy, and the ICC World Test Championship). India and Australia are yet to win the ICC World Test Championship.

On the cusp of history, India appears to be a better team, but Australia can also produce a better game to turn the tables on its opponents and win their World Test Championship title.