- Shamser Khalid
Karthik And Twitter User’s Funny Banter Over Oval Pitch
The highly anticipated World Test Championship has finally arrived, and the cricketing world is buzzing with excitement. The Indian cricket team, led by the talented Rohit Sharma, is gearing up to face the formidable Australian team captained by Pat Cummins. For India, this championship is not just about the thrill of the game; it is an opportunity to claim their first ICC title in a decade. The historic match is set to take place at the iconic venue, The Oval.
The Oval holds a special place in the hearts of Indian cricket fans as well as the players. Over the years, Team India has played 14 Test matches at this hallowed ground. Out of those encounters, they emerged victorious in two, suffered defeat in three, and managed to secure draws in the remaining seven. These statistics indicate that the Indian team has had a mixed bag of results at The Oval. However, it is worth noting that memories of their previous triumphs at this venue could play a significant role in boosting their confidence.
In the lead-up to the match, Dinesh Karthik, a prominent Indian cricketer who will be providing commentary for the game, shared an image of the Oval pitch. The nature of the pitch is always a crucial factor in determining the playing XI of both teams. As the picture made rounds on social media, fans and experts eagerly analyzed it, trying to discern its characteristics and potential impact on the match.
"The pitch is ready for the #WTCFinal! A little browner as the grass is 6mm today compared to 9mm yesterday. What would you choose if you win the toss?" Karthik wrote in a Twitter post.
"At this point dk can be our hero if he secretly cut those damn grass off at night w a lawn mower. Ye kya garden bna diya hai inhonen pitch k naam p" a Twitter user wrote on that post.
To which, Karthik replied: "The resume is already heavy with many roles"
Among those who have weighed in on the topic is the legendary Sachin Tendulkar, fondly known as the "Master Blaster." Tendulkar believes that the Indian team would be delighted to play at The Oval, drawing inspiration from their impressive past performances at the stadium. In a video statement, Tendulkar emphasized the significance of positive memories in sports. He stated, "Whenever you have such memories, they stay with you for quite some time, and the Indian team would not have forgotten the last time they played there. They had a superb outing, won the game, and, like I said, good memories stay with you for long. So I won't be surprised if the Indian team is happy that they are playing at The Oval."
Tendulkar also shared his insights on the ongoing debate surrounding the inclusion of two spinners in the playing XI. This topic has been a subject of extensive discussion on social media platforms and among former cricketers. Tendulkar expressed his belief that including spinners would prove to be advantageous in the long run. The nature of the Oval pitch, as described by Tendulkar, gradually starts to assist spinners as the game progresses. While it may not always be a turning track, spinners can benefit from the bounce and subtle variations in the pitch, coupled with the overhead conditions. Tendulkar also highlighted the importance of the shiny side of the ball, as it enables spinners to achieve drift and make the ball talk in the air without relying solely on the pitch conditions.
With Tendulkar's valuable insights, fans and experts alike are eagerly awaiting the start of the World Test Championship final at The Oval. The Indian team, buoyed by their past successes at this venue, will be looking to make their mark and bring home the prestigious ICC title. As the match unfolds, all eyes will be on the spinners and their ability to exploit the conditions, contributing to what promises to be an enthralling contest between two cricketing powerhouses.
