India’s Test specialist Cheteshwar Pujara believes winning the World Test Championship final could bring a new revolution in Test cricket for India. Pujara feels if India go on to win the WTC title then the youngsters will look to play Test Cricket. In fact, the right-hander reckons the WTC triumph can do what T20 World Cup 2007 win did to Indian cricket as far as the red-ball version of the game is concerned.
Pujara, who only represents the national team in the Test format, added that the WTC final is like any other World Cup final of the limited overs version.
“Test cricket needs to survive, and a WTC format helps where every Test, every series is important. If we win, then many youngsters would want to play the Test format and be part of the final when the next cycle comes around,” Pujara said in the press conference.
“Personally, it means a lot to me. This is the first time we are in a WTC final. We have worked hard over a period of time. It’s just like playing in a 50-over or T20 World Cup final,” Pujara claimed.
On the other hand, Pujara added that they were able to prepare for the big match by playing the intra-squad match. The bowlers bowled 14-15 overs which helped them get back into rhythm and it will definitely help them in the final.
“For bowlers, it was important to get used to the workload again. They would have bowled 14-15 overs in the entire game, which is very important for their workload. For the batsmen, it was about spending time in the middle, having the discipline of leaving balls, and playing shots you would in a game. So being in the middle and having a match scenario is very important,” Pujara mentioned.
New Zealand will enter the final after being better prepared for the final but India will be confident as they have been a consistent team over the years in the Test format. The Indian team will look to come up with a collective effort and tick the right boxes.
The WTC final will take place at Ageas Bowl, Southampton from June 18.
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