Former Australia skipper Ian Chappell believes if India and Australia manage to reach the finals of the World Test Championship, and they are at full strength then it would be a great contest for the ICC title.
Chappell said that the ongoing four-match Test series between India and Australia has become “enthralling” because of the fragile batting lineups of both teams. Meanwhile, India only need to draw the test to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, two years after their breakthrough 2-1 series win in Australia in 2018/19.
“The fragility of both teams’ batting has contributed greatly to the enthralling nature of the series. A collapse seems never far from happening, and consequently, neither team has been able to establish absolute authority. The resilience and fight shown by India has been matched by the class of the Australian attack and their never-say-die attitude,” Ian Chappell wrote in his column for ESPNCricinfo.
Chappell lauded both teams but said that Indian batsmen are no longer the best players of spin.
“If these two teams reach the final of the World Test Championship and they are both at full-strength, it should be one of the great winner-take-all battles. First and foremost it’s no longer correct to say Indian batsmen are the best players of spin bowling. They may not be worse than some others but they’re definitely not better than the rest overall,” he added.
Chappell also said that India needs a quality all-rounder like Hardik Pandya in the longest format while stressing the need for India to improve their catching.
“To round out India’s best side one that will provide a real challenge if they reach the World Test Championship final they need Hardik Pandya at full fitness. His all-round presence gives India more selection options in order to take advantage of their blossoming and versatile attack,” said Chappell.
