New Delhi: In the World Test Championship final earlier this month, Team India suffered a discouraging defeat. Rohit Sharma's team gave a poor effort at The Oval and was defeated by Australia, led by Pat Cummins, by a score of 209 runs. All of the Indian team members except for Cheteshwar Pujara arrived in England shortly before the WTC Final, and they did so in different batches due to their different schedules in the 2023 Indian Premier League. After the team's defeat, the Indian team management came under fire for not giving the players enough time to adjust to the English weather.
Pujara, who captained Sussex and gave a steady effort for the County team, was the only player in the final who had been playing in England for more than a month. Even yet, the Indian batter struggled in the championship game, scoring 14 and 27 points over the course of two innings.
Sourav Ganguly, a former captain of India, addressed the argument that the IPL left the Indian squad underprepared in an interview. Ajinkya Rahane, who was India's highest performer in the final (89 and 46), was used by Ganguly, who is currently the Director of Cricket at Delhi Capitals, to strongly refute the claim.
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“I don't agree with this theory. Ajinkya Rahane also played IPL and he played very well during IPL and World Test Championship final. So I don't believe in this theory. Some of the Australian boys (Cameron Green, David Warner), played well in IPL also and did well in World Test Championship,” Ganguly said.
The former BCCI president also stated that Indian cricketers had ample time to adapt to the English playing environment and that this was not the first time it has happened.
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“After IPL finished, there was enough time to acclimatise to Test cricket. They went to England and they played. It used to happen in the past. You played ODI cricket and you played Test cricket, things used to happen very, very quickly and so I don't believe it's an issue. So I believe that even if you play IPL, you should have the ability to adjust your technique and temperament and do well in a Test match,” Ganguly further said.
India will now make their comeback to play on July 12 when they compete in a two-Test series in the Caribbean against West Indies.
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