Last Update: June 03, 2023, 5:07 pm IST
The final of the World Test Championship will be played between India and Australia from June 7 (AFP Image)
Lance Klusener said he is not picking a winner in the World Test Championship final between India and Australia
Former South African cricketer Lance Klusener said it is a tough call when it comes to picking a winner in the World Test Championship (WTC) final between India and Australia, which begins on June 7 at The Oval in south London. Is.
In a media interaction at the Calcutta Sports Journalists’ Club on Saturday, when asked by reporters about his favorite team to win the WTC final, Klusener said, “It’s a tough call. The battle will be between Australia’s bowlers and India’s batsmen, the team that wins that battle will come out on top.”
Klusener also called Hardik Pandya one of the best fast bowling all-rounders and believes that the Indian probably gave up on Test cricket a bit too easily to manage his workload.
Klusener also heaped praise on compatriot Faf du Plessis, who finished the IPL season second behind Shubman Gill in the run-scorers’ list.
“Hats off to Faf for staying fit and hungry, contributing in the best T20 competition in the world (for RCB).
“He is now going to the Big Bash (League)… plays as much as he can. “It’s great to have that fire at his age, we need to respect that,” Klusener said.
Du Plessis quit Test cricket following a “breakdown” in his relationship with coach Mark Boucher.
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Klusner believed it was more to manage his workload.
“Cricket has reached a point where there are other opportunities for you. You get to be an age, you get opportunities that pay better or easier on the body, allow you to have more time at home.”
Mission ‘IPL Cricketer’ from Tripura
The 51-year-old Klusener has been appointed as Tripura’s coaching consultant for the upcoming domestic season.
In his first official interaction with the media after assuming office, Klusener said that his mission would be a “success” if he could produce an IPL or India cricketer from the northeastern state.
“I want to leave a lasting impression. I like to take on challenges. If I can inspire one person to join the IPL or the national team, that would be a success,” said Klusener, who has served as coach Has worked with Afghanistan, Zimbabwe and many other franchises.
As per his contract, Klusener will coach Tripura for a total of 100 days, providing his expertise in age-group, women’s and Ranji Trophy cricket.
“We have coaching staff in all departments. TCA Vice President Timir Chanda said, he will oversee their functioning and provide valuable inputs.
Chanda further said that they have retained India’s experienced wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha for the upcoming season.
After being dropped from the Cricket Association of Bengal, Saha joined Tripura as a mentor-cum-cricketer.
(With inputs from PTI)
