- The sixteenth edition of the Indian Premier League T20 cricket tournament concluded recently after an amazing few weeks of exhilarating performances from players around the globe. The IPL delivered breathtaking fireworks that lived up to its reputation as the world’s premier competition for cricket fans. The normal equipment for the shortest format of the game was abundantly on display, exciting the cricket fans with a never-ending stream of spectacular performances. The eventual victors, the Chennai Super Kings, defeated the defending champion Gujarat Titans in a last-ball thriller after their poor performance last year. And the legendary MS Dhoni won the prized trophy for a record-tying fifth time.
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- Not even the die-hard T20 fans would hesitate to mention that the surfeit of games on offer was nothing short of top-quality stuff, but it’s time to move ahead and look forward to the purest form of the game. Yes, test cricket is the ultimate format that not only tests the ability of a cricketer over five days but also provides a level playing field for both the bat and the ball in equal measure. Yes, T20 slam-bang cricket offers instant thrills and frills for the younger generation, but trust me, there are innumerable fans out there wishing to get soaked in the Test match environment. The keen contest between the two equally balanced teams in Test cricket is an interesting prospect. Most welcomingly, India and Australia will be lining up to provide this in the next few days.
- As you are aware, India and Australia have made it to the World Test Championship to be held in England on June 7, 2023. This is a mouth-watering prospect that will satiate the eagerly awaiting cricket fans looking forward to the enticing contest. Team India is led by Rohit Sharma, who is not in the best of form with the bat. Of course, the presence of the talismanic Virat Kohli, the warhorse Cheteshwar Pujara, the red-hot Shubham Gill, the born-again Ajinkya Rahane, and the spin bowling allrounders Ravi Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, and Axar Patel, followed by the pace trio of the skillful Mohammed Shami, the express Umesh Yadav, and the ever-improving Mohammad Siraj, make Team India a formidable force and a strong contender to lift the coveted mace.
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- Team Australia is endowed with proven performers like David Warner, the in-form Usman Khawaja, the prolific Steven Smith, the reliable Marnus Labuschagne, the dynamic Travis Head, and the terrific allrounder in the making, Cameroon Green, making up the battling department. The bowling department is well-served by pacer captain Pat Cummins, duly supported by the pacy left-arm quick Mitchell Starc and the consistently persevering Josh Hazelwood. One cannot forget a proven performer like Offie Nathan Lyon, who can be devastating on his day. On paper, both teams look evenly matched and all set to entertain the cricket fans with awesome performances over five days. May the best team win the championship!
