The stage is set, and anticipation fills the air as the much-awaited 2021-23 World Test Championship (WTC) Final approaches. Two cricketing powerhouses India and Australia will lock horns at The Oval Ground, London, in a battle for supremacy. Virat Kohli, in the advancement of finals, has stated that it will be the battle of equals, as Asian Giants have defeated the Aussies two times back-to-back in their own backyard, thus the rivalry will now turn into respect. Virat Kohli is in the form of his life as we witnessed how he decimated the opposition teams in IPL 2023.
India triumphed against Australia twice in 2018-19 and 2020-21, which has given Aussies a red warning not to take India on a lighter note. Virat Kohli mentioned that having Australia as their opponents provide him with the opportunity to excel and motivates him to do better. The Star Batter has smacked a total-run score of 1682 in Test Cricket against their familiar foes Australia.
“There Used To Be Tension In The Air Which Is Not The Case Now..” – Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli believes that as India has defeated Australia twice, thus they will not take them lightly, and the tension will surround the Aussies camp. He mentioned while talking to the star sports:
“Rivalry was intense in the beginning, the environment was also very tense. But since we have won in Australia twice, the rivalry has turned into respect and we are not taken lightly anymore as a Test team,” Virat Kohli told Star sports.
“We can feel that respect when we play against Australia, that ‘they have beaten us twice in our own backyard back-to-back and it will be a battle of equals, there used to be tension in the air which is not the case now. When you achieve a standing, make your presence felt in the ground no one takes you lightly.” he added.
English Conditions Might Be The Challenge For Both India And Australia
Both India and Australia had a fair share of struggle at The Oval, due to weather conditions in England. Australia have won just 7 out of their 38 Test matches while India have managed two victories in 14 games.
Virat Kohli feels that batters need to be cautious, they need to concentrate on their focus and discipline, as it will be a difficult task to bat on The Oval.
“So you need to have the experience to play as per the conditions and we cannot go in with the expectation that The Oval pitch will play as it always has. So we have to adjust and adapt, we have only one match in a neutral venue so whoever adapts better will win the match.” said Virat Kohli.
He believes that it will be a great challenge to play at neutral venues as no one will have any home support, and it will be exciting to see how both teams adapt to the situation. He also talks about the weather conditions that alters quickly in England,
“Toughest part of playing in overcast and seaming conditions in England is understanding and choosing the balls that you need to hit. The balance between scoring runs and playing with a solid technique is very important. You can’t walk out so much that you are just standing there to get out and you can’t be over aggressive either. “ he added.
Decision- making process also needs to be critical according to the talismanic star batter, as he believes they need to get the balance right and put pressure on the opponents.