India captain Rohit Sharma questioned the scheduling of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final after India suffered a harrowing 209-run defeat against Australia in the WTC Final 2023
This was India's second consecutive loss after losing to New Zealand in 2021 and the Indian team and its management have received a lot of criticism in the aftermath of the defeat.
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What did Rohit Sharma say about the WTC final schedule?
Speaking to the press after the defeat, Sharma criticised the scheduling of the WTC Final when asked it India will always find it difficult to adapt to Test cricket immediately after the Indian Premier League (IPL) ends. However, the 36-year-old countered by saying that the final doesn't always have to be played in June.
"Why after the IPL final? Why cannot it be March? June is not the only month we should play the final," Sharma said.
The skipper also went on to add that the showpiece event should not always take place in England, with both the 2021 (Ageas Bowl, Southampton) and 2023 WTC Final (Kia Oval, London) being played in the UK. The 2025 WTC Final is also apparently scheduled to take place in England, at the Lord's, although the venue is yet to be locked down.
"It can be played any time of the year and anywhere in the world, not just in England, it can be played anywhere in the world," he added.
Rohit Sharma and Pat Cummins share their thoughts on the current WTC Final format
Sharma believes that the WTC Final should be a three-match Test series instead of being a one-off final.
"A three-match series would be nice but it's about finding that window, where it can fit in. An event like this you work hard for two years and then you only have one shot at it. It's not really - you cannot get into that momentum that you need in Test cricket. Test cricket is all about finding that rhythm, finding that momentum as well. I think yeah, if in the next cycle if it is possible, three-match series would be ideal," the Indian captain stated.
On the other hand, Pat Cummins, the winning captain, was quite happy with the current format.
"I think it's fine. No qualms. I think ideally you'd have 50-match series but the Olympics have come down to one race to win a gold medal. AFL, NRL seasons have finals. That's sport," Cummins said.
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