WTC Final 2023: The key is to try and get them as early as possible – Aaron Finch on Virat Kohli vs Steve Smith battle

Former Australian skipper Aaron Finch feels Virat Kohli and Steve Smith will hold the key for their respective teams in the World Test Championship final. Finch reckons dismissing these two talisman batters cheaply will be the key for both bowling line-ups.

Kohli and Smith are known to be unstoppable if they get off to a steady start and both teams will look to keep them in check. Smith has been playing for Sussex in County Championship Division Two, averaging 40.66 in three games.

On the other hand, Virat Kohli was in good form in the second half of IPL 2023. The talisman scored 639 runs in 14 matches for Royal Challengers Bangalore in IPL 2023 at an average of 53.25, including two hundreds and he will be looking to carry the same form in the WTC Final against Australia.

Speaking to Star Sports, Aaron Finch said, “Both batting at number four, so the key is to try and get them as early as possible, early wickets to expose them to the brand new ball will be absolutely key. I will always side with Steve Smith, I think his record is outstanding, but it will be a very good contest.”

Meanwhile, India and Australia have shared an epic rivalry against each other, especially in the last decade. In fact, India has won the last four Test series against Australia (two at home whereas two while playing in Australia) but Finch reckons the WTC Final could be anyone’s game.

“I think the rivalry is held in such high regard in both countries, that I think it brings out the best in both teams. Obviously, India has had the better of Australia in the last three series I think, so both teams will rise to the occasion no matter where it’s played, at home or away or this time at neutral territory. It’s just a must watch thing.”

The final will be played at the Oval from June 7.

India’s squad for the WTC final

Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, KS Bharat (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Shardul Thakur, Mohd. Shami, Mohd. Siraj, Umesh Yadav, Jaydev Unadkat, and Ishan Kishan (wk).

Standby players: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Mukesh Kumar, and Suryakumar Yadav.