Former Indian cricket team coach Ravi Shastri considers Australia as the favourites on paper ahead of the World Test Championship final.
Australia are set to lock horns against India in the final of the WTC which is scheduled to start on June 7 and The Oval in London.
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Ahead of the grand final, Shastri felt that due to the absence of Indian fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah, Australia have the edge over India.
Speaking at the ICC's 'Afternoon with Test Legends' event, the ex-Indian coach said,
I would say if you look at the pace attack, if Bumrah was there, I would say it was equal with an attack of Mohammed Shami, Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj. But that Aussie attack with Starc and Cummins, maybe the match fitness that will come into play.
He added,
Match fitness might come into play. You need some cricket behind you and staying in the park for six hours for five days is different from bowling in nets for two hours every day. Shami might be key as he has been playing a lot of cricket.
India are set to appear in the World Test Championship final for the second consecutive time. In the inaugural edition, they face New Zealand in the final and lost. Australia, on the other hand, are appearing in the final for the first time.
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The Rohit Sharma-led side will be eyeing their first ICC trophy in 10 years. The last time they won an ICC title was back in 2013 under the leadership of MS Dhoni when India won the ICC Champions Trophy.
