WTC Final: Mitchell Starc can make things difficult for Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill, says Salman Butt

Former Pakistan opener Salman Butt reckons Mitchell Starc can make things difficult for Indian openers – Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill – in the World Test Championship final. The left-arm seamers, who can get the ball to move back into the right-handers, have troubled the Indian right-handers in the past.

Starc is known to swing the ball both ways and he can breathe down the neck of the Indian batters. Furthermore, barring Ravindra Jadeja, India has a right-handed dominated batting order and Starc could cherish bowling with the Dukes ball, which is known to swing in English conditions.

Meanwhile, Starc took three wickets in Test matches against India in the Border-Gavaskar series 2023 while playing in tough Indian conditions but the Oval pitch is expected to provide him assistance. In fact, Starc doesn’t have a great record while playing against India as he has scalped 44 wickets in 17 Test matches at an average of 38.68.

On the other hand, Starc has scalped 33 wickets in nine Test matches he has played in England at an average of 31.27. Starc has picked 306 wickets in 77 Test matches for Australia.

“If Mitchell Starc gets it right, he can surely make things difficult for Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill. He has a very good inswinger and bowls at a good pace. We have seen that Rohit Sharma is vulnerable against left-armers. However, if those two get set, they can put Australian bowlers under pressure,” said Butt said while talking on his YouTube Channel.

Former Pakistan skipper added the Oval conditions will suit India’s batting line-up. Indian batters will look to deliver their best and the team registered a huge win of 157 runs against England in 2021 at the Oval, which will give them a lot of confidence.

“India has a stronger batting lineup out of the two teams. Also, the conditions that you would get at The Oval won’t be the typical English conditions. It isn’t similar to Lords or Leeds where the ball tends to swing a lot for the first couple of hours. The Oval offers pace and bounce which makes shot-making easier,” Butt added.

The Indian openers – Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill – will look to give a good start to their team and they are going to hold the key at the top of the order.