India’s Road to The WTC Final: 5 Captains in 6 Series as Asian Giants Defy Odds to Get Another Shot at Title

written by, Aditya Maheshwari

Last Update: June 05, 2023, 4:18 PM IST

London, United Kingdom (UK)

India reached the final of WTC Final 2023 after winning four out of six Test series (AFP Image)

India reached the final of WTC Final 2023 after winning four out of six Test series (AFP Image)

World Test Championship Final 2023: India will face a litmus test against Australia in tough conditions at The Oval, London.

The World Test Championship 2023 final is set to decide the best team in red-ball cricket over the years. India, who were the runners-up in the inaugural edition, have one more shot at the title as they reach the final for the second time in a row. The Asian giants will face a litmus test against Australia in tough English conditions at The Oval, London.

The Indian cricket team has been a force to be reckoned with in red-ball cricket in recent times and has become one of the best traveling teams in world cricket. However, the ongoing WTC cycle has been a roller-coaster ride for India as they have used a number of captains during the period so far. Virat Kohli was the captain when the second edition of WTC started but he relinquished the captaincy after the South Africa Test series last year. Rohit Sharma was named captain but injuries ruled him out of a few matches as KL Rahul and Jasprit Bumrah took charge in his absence. While Ajinkya Rahane also led the team when Kohli took a break during the first Test against New Zealand in 2021.

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India’s road to WTC final

india tour of england 2021

Virat Kohli led the Indian team in ‘his’ way on the tour of England and brought the hosts to their knees with some aggressive brand of cricket. Kohli and Co. managed to take a 2-1 lead in the series after four Tests, while the fifth Test was postponed till 2022 as the Indian camp was affected by COVID-19. However, England bounced back with a renewed team and outclassed India in the postponed Test match at Edgbaston as the series ended 2–2.

india vs new zealand 2021

This was crucial for India as they entered the series after a humiliating exit from the 2021 T20 WC. Kohli missed the first Test as his then deputy Ajinkya Rahane took over. The series ended in a draw, while Kohli made a comeback and led the hosts to an emphatic 372-run victory in the second Test to seal the series 1–0.

India tour of South Africa 2021-22

It started on the best possible note for India as they took the lead over South Africa with a clinical win in the first Test but a back injury ruled Kohli out of the second Test and KL Rahul led the team but The Proteas managed to make a comeback. a win. The momentum shifted in Temba Bavuma’s favor as they defeated India in the final Test despite the return of Virat Kohli to win the series 2–1. This was a major let down for India in the WTC cycle.

india vs sri lanka 2023

It was Rohit Sharma’s first assignment as Test captain and he passed it with flying colors as India whitewashed Sri Lanka in the two-match series. The hosts dropped Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane in an attempt to give chances to youngsters in the middle order and Shreyas Iyer grabbed the opportunity with both hands.

india tour of bangladesh 2022

Rohit missed the two-match Test series due to fitness concerns as Rahul captained the side to win the two-match series 2–0. Shubman Gill rose to fame and scored his maiden Test century, while Cheteshwar Pujara also ended his drought and scored a century.

india vs australia 2023

The series was crucial for Rohit Sharma & Co. to make it to the finals of the WTC. India started the series with consecutive wins, things were looking good for the hosts but then the Aussies came back strongly and claimed victory in Indore. While centuries from Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli helped India draw the Test. India won the series 2-1 which helped both them and Australia to reach the final of WTC 2023.