WTC Final 2023: ‘Conditions Similar to Wankhede Pitch, X Factor Will be Cheteshwar Pujara’

The Indian cricket team will rely heavily on their star Test batsman Cheteshwar Pujara in the final of the ICC World Test Championship not only because of his impressive record across formats but also for his in-depth knowledge of English conditions as he has played a lot of county cricket. Is. The likes of Derbyshire, Yorkshire and Sussex.

Pujara was preparing for the WTC final against Australia by captaining Sussex and scoring four centuries for them in the County Championship.

Obviously, he is in great form and will play a vital role in India’s chances of winning the World Championship. Even former England cricketer Monty Panesar even dubbed him as the ‘X-Factor’.

“The Indian top-order is in form. The conditions (at The Oval) will be similar to the Wankhede pitch which is fast and bouncy. My X factor batsman would be Pujara as he has done so well for Sussex in these English conditions. He is the person who binds this batting line-up together,” Panesar told the news agency PTI,

“He (Pujara) is good with his defense and if the ball is doing something, he can take the Australian bowlers for a bargain and when the pitch is flat, the others can take advantage of the attacking cricket,” he added.

Panesar also feels that Ishan Kishan should play ahead of KS Bharat in the wicketkeeper-batsman role.

“You don’t need to be an exceptional wicketkeeper in England. He is batting and keeping well. He should play ahead of Bharat,” the 41-year-old said.

Panesar advised the Indian batsmen to be cautious of Mitchell Starc’s left-arm pace, who is capable of ‘changing the game with one spell’.

“For Australia, Starc will be the one to watch. He’s going to be quick and he’s going to have late movement. He can change the game with one spell. He’s the guy Australia will go to when they need a wicket.”