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Cricket News: WTC Final 2023 IND vs AUS Dream11 Prediction Possible 11 Pitch Report | IND vs AUS Dream11 Prediction Today | The Oval Pitch Report

Here we go. The highly anticipated World Test Championship (WTC) Final is upon us, and two fantastic Test sides – and archrivals – fight it out. India, two years on from heartbreak against New Zealand, are aiming to right the wrongs of that match. Australia, on the other hand, make their first appearance, and have eyes squarely on building on their incredible trophy cabinet by adding the coveted WTC mace.

But, while the mace is such an incentive in itself, neither side will want to lose to the other. There is so much history involved in the India-Australia rivalry, with recent duels going India’s away. Their performances in Australia – namely the Gabba – gives the billions of fans around the world the hope that Rohit Sharma’s team, despite the limited preparation due to the recently-concluded IPL, can prevail in English conditions.

Fewer of Australia’s players have been involved in the IPL, but they know best that India can never be written off. Time and again over the past five years, India have surprised the Australians, and Pat Cummins’ team need to be at their best. Their bowling attack, despite the absence of Josh Hazlewood, can make inroads, while David Warner at the top, along with Khawaja, will be vital in reducing the pressure on Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith.

Conditions can suit the Australians, but India have the players who can deliver, too. How quickly India’s players can adjust after so much white-ball cricket remains to be seen, but there is confidence with some excellent recent performances from the likes of Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane.

Match Details

• Dates: 7-11 June 2023 (reserve day on 12 June).
• Location: The Oval, London.
• Time: 11am (local), 3:30pm (IST), 8:00pm (AUS EST).
• For more cricket fixtures around the world, visit Fixture Calendar.

WTC Final 2023: IND vs AUS Possible Playing XIs

Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out with injury. Despite this, Australia look settled, with Scott Boland set to slot in. Also, the all-round seam option in Cameron Green allows for four pace options along with Nathan Lyon.

Australia: 1. Usman Khawaja, 2. David Warner, 3. Marnus Labuschagne, 4. Steve Smith, 5. Travis Head, 6. Cameron Green, 7. Alex Carey (wk), 8. Mitchell Starc, 9. Pat Cummins (c), 10. Nathan Lyon, 11. Scott Boland

ALSO READ: More details on Australia’s possible playing XI for the WTC Final 2023

There are more questions for India, particularly around their bowling attack. Dry conditions in London could tempt them to play Ravichandran Ashwin, but that will mean just the three seam options.

Also, India have a decision to make on the wicket-keeping spot between KS Bharat and Ishan Kishan. This may ultimately depend on how many fast bowlers they play.

India: 1. Rohit Sharma (c), 2. Shubman Gill, 3. Cheteshwar Pujara, 4. Virat Kohli, 5. Ajinkya Rahane, 6. Ravindra Jadeja, 7. KS Bharat (wk), 8. R Ashwin/Jaydev Unadkat/Umesh Yadav, 9. Shardul Thakur, 10. Mohammed Shami, 11. Mohammed Siraj

ALSO READ: More details on India’s possible playing XI for the WTC Final 2023

Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

Australia:

• Steve Smith averages 65.06 in 18 Tests against India (1,887 runs). However, it hasn’t been as prolific for Smith since the start of 2020, averaging 38.2 in 15 innings against the Indians (458 runs). So, how he responds will be key.
• In three Tests at The Oval, Smith has struck 391 runs at an average of 97.75.
• Marnus Labuschagne is the third-highest run-scorer in County Championship division two. He has struck 502 runs at an average of 71.71.
• Labuschagne has scored four half-centuries in seven Test innings in England. Also, against India, he averages 47.20 in nine Tests with three fifties and a century.
• Usman Khawaja has scored 1,608 Test runs since the start of 2022. He averages 69.9 in this period. So, he is well placed to improve on his record in England, where he averages just 19.66 in six Tests.
• Cameron Green hit a century in his last Test against India. He also had a magnificent IPL. Whether he can bring that confidence to a different format remains to be seen.
• Pat Cummins is four away from 50 Test wickets against India. He averages 25.45 against them. Five of those scalps have been Virat Kohli at an average of 16.4. Key battle.

India:

• Rohit Sharma struggled in the IPL, but Rohit the red-ball batsman has been solid in recent years. Since the start of 2021, Rohit has scored 432 runs at an average of 48.00 in ten Test innings in England.
• Shubman Gill is coming off an incredible IPL, and is one of a select few to score a hundred in all three formats for India. His last Test century came in his last match, against Australia at Ahmedabad.
• Cheteshwar Pujara has hit 545 runs at an average of 68.12 in the County Championship this season. He is the leading run-scorer of any current player in IND-AUS Tests (2,033) at an average of 50.82.
• In 15 Tests in England, Pujara averages just 29.60. If he bats long, India will benefit greatly.
• Virat Kohli is crucial. He is coming off a strong IPL and averages 48.26 against Australia. This includes a drought-breaking century in his last Test against them.
• Since the start of 2022, Ravindra Jadeja has scored 463 runs at an average of 51.4. In this same period, he has taken 32 wickets at an average of 19.7. How effective he will be with the ball at The Oval is crucial for India given he averages 54.4 in 11 innings in England.
• Mohammed Siraj has dismissed David Warner twice for 36 runs in 70 balls in Test cricket. In England, Siraj has taken 18 wickets in nine innings at an average of 33.00. Mohammed Shami has very similar numbers with 17 scalps in nine innings at an average of 32.20.

Other Stats and Facts

• Head-to-head: Matches 106, Australia 44, India 32, 29 drawn, one tie.
• Australia have won just four of the last 18 Tests against India.
• Pat Cummins vs Cheteshwar Pujara in Tests: 600 balls, 172 runs, seven dismissals.
• David Warner’s record in England is in the spotlight. He averages 26.04.
• Nathan Lyon has the most wickets in IND-AUS Tests (116). Also, he has taken nine wickets in three Tests at The Oval (avg. 30.77).

The Oval London Pitch Report and Weather

The weather has been dry in recent days and weeks in London. Steve Smith, who has a great record at The Oval, said the pitch may take spin as the game goes on. With no rain expected on the first three days at least, turn may be available later in the game.

So, given the dry conditions and usually excellent batting conditions at The Oval, the captain who wins the toss will surely bat. The team batting first has won 55.6% of the matches since the start of 2013.

But, Jason Gillespie said the cooler conditions in June, along with the Duke ball, can offer assistance early for the bowlers. Last year, it was a very low scoring match between England and South Africa, and the last three first innings totals here have been just 294, 191 and 118.

WTC Final 2023 IND vs AUS Dream11 Prediction Today Match 7-11 June

Note: The below teams are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these in time. Use the stats and commentary in this article, as well as your own instincts, to create your teams.

Option 1:

Option 2:

WTC Final 2023 Match Prediction – Who will win?

This promises to be a fantastic Test match. In a one-off game in England, given India’s lack of red-ball preparation, Australia hold the edge. CricBlog predicts an Australia victory.