The International Cricket Council (ICC) has just provided perspective to the World Test Championship final ahead of the fourth Test match between India and England. After England were knocked out of the WTC final race, India and Australia are among the two teams fighting it out for the second spot. A win or a draw for India will see them through to the final, whereas a defeat would ensure that Australia play the final against New Zealand.
The ICC in a tweet has projected Virat Kohli and Joe Root as two boxers who are getting ready for the fourth round of a bout. While Kohli is smiling from his end, Joe Root is being egged on by Australian Test skipper Tim Paine as Kane Williamson looks on. Root also looks a little battered and bruised in the picture but has enough strength for that one last round.
ICC’s Dramatic Picturisation
NOW LOADING ██████████████] 99%
Round 4 🔥#WTC21 | #INDvENG pic.twitter.com/rYFTjQkpae
— ICC (@ICC) March 3, 2021
Meanwhile, the pitch at the Motera has been a subject of great debate after the third Test ended in less than two days. Former England skipper Michael Vaughan was severe in criticising the state of the pitch in the third Test also criticising India’s home advantage quotient.
Virat Kohli Defends Pitch Criticism
Speaking to media at the press conference ahead of the 4th and final Test, Virat Kohli also knocked out the critics questioning the Ahmedabad pitch that was used in the pink-ball Test.
“I totally believe that there’s always too much noise and conversation about spinning tracks. Unfortunately, everyone sort of plays along with that narrative and keeps making it news” he said.
“If a Test match happens and we win on day four or day five, no one says anything. If a match finishes in two days everyone pounces on the same issue. It has always been the case that spinning tracks come into focus way more. When the ball seams on a particular pitch and teams get bundled out for 40, 50 or 60, no one writes about the pitch. It’s always about bad batting. I think we need to be very honest with ourselves. What space are we talking from and what is the idea behind continuing this narrative? What purpose does it serve people who keep coming into this conversation, which is quite one-sided?” said Kohli.
Also Read: Micheal Vaughan Takes A Dig At Virat Kohli After His ‘We Have Not Cribbed About Any Pitch’