Ravi Shastri Revealed an Interesting WTC Final Prediction

Ravi Shastri, Ponting, and Pakistan legend Wasim Akram all feel that the Oval track will remain fresher than it usually is as it has never hosted a Test match in June in the venue's 140-year history. Shastri, the former Indian batsman & head coach who guided the team to the inaugural WTC final in 2021, felt that if Jasprit Bumrah had been there, India would have started on an even keel if not as favourites.

Read Also: Ricky Ponting Revealed His Prediction For the WTC Final

Ravi Shastri opened up about some facts ahead of the WTC Final 2023

"I would say if you look at 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, Cummins, maybe the match fitness will come into play," Shastri said at the ICC's 'Afternoon with Test Legends' event.

Shastri feels that even if it was two months of T20 cricket, game time does make a difference. Ponting and Akram both agreed with Shastri. "Match fitness might come into play," Shastri said.

"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," he said.

"I, as a player, like having cricket (games) behind me. The format doesn't matter as long as I am playing. It's better to have a tournament like IPL. When you don't win, it hurts as you are not there to fill in numbers. But if I look in hindsight, compared to that World Test Championship cycle, it's chalk and cheese," Shastri added.

"There was COVID-19, quarantines. It was hard on players, 14 days in isolation and then seven days of training. Here both teams have had time to prepare and this one will be a good contest," he said.