After consecutive defeats in the WTC final, Rohit Sharma has stated that the final should be played outside England and that it doesn’t need to be held in June.
Rohit was asked if the preparation for the WTC final is difficult because it takes place just after the IPL.
Rohit said, “Why should it be organized immediately after the IPL final? Why can’t it be scheduled in March? June is not the only month when we should play the final. It can be played at any time of the year and in any part of the world. The final is not limited to England.”
Before the WTC final this time, the Indian team had very little time to adapt to the conditions in England. One reason behind this was that most Indian players were busy in the IPL and they arrived in England late. Rohit mentioned about transitioning directly from T20 to Test cricket, stating that it requires some time.
Rohit said, “I want to see where the next WTC final will be played. Based on that, we will decide how we want to prepare and what kind of cricket we want to play.”
The venue and timing of the WTC final are certainly uncertain. One major reason for this is the packed cricket schedule. The inclusion of three new domestic T20 leagues in the United Arab Emirates, South Africa, and the United States next month means there is a shortage of time in international cricket, and the cricket calendar is quite busy.
If the WTC final is not held in June but is scheduled for another month, it means you have to find a new window in the international cricket schedule. In the next eight-year cycle of international cricket, the WTC finals are set to take place in 2025, 2027, 2029, and 2031.
ICC’s General Manager, Wasim Khan, had said before the final, “The way the World Test Championship cycle has been set, we will always organize it in the northern hemisphere summers.”
Apart from these issues, Rohit believes that a series of three matches should be played for the WTC final. Virat Kohli has also expressed his support for it after the previous WTC, and David Warner holds the same opinion.
Rohit said, “I am in favour of the three-match final. Is there time for that? That’s a big question. Honestly, in such a big event, you should give both teams a fair opportunity. A series of three matches would be good, but we need to find a window where it fits. For the final, you work hard for two years, and then you only get one match. If it is possible in the next cycle, then a series of three matches would be ideal.”
