India captain Rohit Sharma expressed his desire for the World Test Championship final to be transformed into a three-match series. In the previous edition, Australia defeated Rohit’s team by 209 runs in the one-off final held at The Oval, while India had previously lost to New Zealand in the 2021 showpiece in Southampton.
Acknowledging the challenges of incorporating a final series into an already packed cricket schedule, Rohit emphasized the importance of providing fair opportunities to both teams. He stated that a three-match series would be ideal for the next cycle but questioned whether there would be a suitable timeframe to accommodate it.
The cricket calendar is already congested, with Test cricket vying for space alongside two other formats. Furthermore, the schedule includes a men’s ICC event, such as the 50-over World Cup, T20 World Cup, or Champions Trophy, every year for the next eight years. The presence of domestic franchise competitions worldwide means players are engaged in cricket throughout the year. England Test captain Ben Stokes even deemed it “unsustainable” to participate in all three formats, leading to his retirement from one-day international cricket.
However, Rohit believes that Test cricket’s nature lends itself to a multi-game series, as it allows teams to build momentum and rhythm, which are crucial in this format. He emphasized the significance of having more than one opportunity after two years of hard work in an event like the World Test Championship.
Australia captain Pat Cummins, on the other hand, expressed contentment with the current format and drew parallels to other sports where one-off finals are prevalent, such as Australian Rules football and rugby league.
India’s defeat at The Oval extended their wait for an ICC trophy to ten years. Rohit admitted that the loss was disheartening for him and the entire team, considering the immense effort they had put in. However, he emphasized the importance of resilience in sports, stating that the focus now shifts to the next major challenge, which is the 50-over World Cup taking place in India later in the year.
8 comments
Wow, Rohit Sharma wants more matches for World Test Championship final series. That’s a good idea, give both teams fair chances. But how they fit more games in busy schedule?
I agree with Rohit, Test cricket needs more matches to find rhythm and momentum. It’s not easy to work hard for two years and have only one shot at it. Let’s have a three-match series, but is there time?
Pat Cummins says he’s fine with the current format. He compares it to other sports with one-off finals. But hey, Test cricket is different! It’s a unique challenge. Give teams more chances, I say.
India’s loss in the ICC trophy hurts, but Rohit’s right. In sports, you gotta pick yourself up and focus on the next big event. Good luck to Team India in the upcoming World Cup!
The cricket calendar is packed with so many events. Test cricket competes with other formats, and players already play year-round. It’s a tough balancing act, but maybe a three-match series is worth considering.
I love Rohit’s passion for Test cricket. It’s a test of skills, strategy, and endurance. Let’s give the teams more opportunities to showcase their talent. Three matches sounds exciting!
It’s true, finding space for more matches in the cricket schedule is challenging. Domestic leagues, international tournaments, it’s all jam-packed. But if we want a true World Test Champion, a multi-match final series makes sense.
I get it, one-off finals have their charm, but Test cricket is a different ball game. A series would truly test the teams’ mettle. Let’s see if the cricket authorities can find a way to make it happen.