The five-match Test series between India and England will start next month. Team India’s star spinner R Ashwin, however, may play a Test game before the Test series against England. After getting a working visa, R Ashwin might reportedly play a first-class match for England’s county team Surrey. 

If Ashwin gets his work visa on time, he can play in the county match for Surrey from July 11. Ashwin is currently on a break like rest of his team members. Ashwin has played county cricket in the past as well. He has played county cricket for Nottinghamshire and Worcestershire.

If Ashwin gets a work visa for Surrey’s match against Somerset at The Oval, it could prove to be a good opportunity for him to practice on English soil before the Ind vs Eng Test series.

READ | Tokyo Stops Olympic Torch Relay In Light of Covid-19.

Team India will also play a practice match 

The fourth match of the India and England Test series will be played at The Oval. Reports claim that it is more or less confirmed that Ashwin will play a county match for Surrey, pending a formal announcement. 

After losing the World Test Championship final against New Zealand, Indian captain Virat Kohli said that the team demanded a first-class match before the title match but, he is not aware as to why it did not happen.

India is expected to play practice match before the Test series against England. The England and Wales Cricket Board has already said that it plans to organize a warm-up match for India against the combined county team ahead of the Test series.

Team India players are currently enjoying their holidays in England as BCCI allowed them a 20-day break before the five-match Test series against England.

During the break, most of the players are in London or its surrounding areas and are spending time with their families, while some have also gone to visit the countryside.

After this break, the players of the Indian team will gather in London on July 14. Indian captain Virat Kohli is not missing any chance to work hard and train himself even during the break. The star player shared a video on Tuesday, in which he was seen doing some intense workout.

New cases of Covid-19 are increasing continuously in England and in such a situation, all players and support staff members of India will be given a second dose of vaccination on July 7 and July 9, news agency ANI reported. Indian players have already received the first dose of Covishield vaccine in India.

Reportedly, most of the players are enjoying holiday in London and surrounding areas.  Players who had received the first dose of Covishield vaccine in India are now ready to take the second vaccine. Full immunization of Indian players has become extremely necessary as there have been several cases of the Coronavirus in the England team.

After seven members of the England cricket team, including three players, were found to be Covid positive, it has become more important for the Indian team to be given vaccine doses for their safety.

ECB had to select a completely new team for the limited overs series against Pakistan after seven members, including players in England’s men’s team, tested Covid-19 positive.

IND Vs ENG: For Team India, presently in England, a new issue of finding an opener is worrying them ahead of India vs England Test series. Shubman Gill’s exclusion from the England tour is absolutely certain. For this reason, the team management advocated for sending Prithvi Shaw and Devdutt Padikkal to England. But reportedly, the selectors have rejected this demand of the team management. 

However, BCCI has not yet issued any official statement regarding Shubman Gill. Experts, however, have already predicted that Shubman Gill’s injury is very serious and it will take at least 3 months for him to recover completely. However, no update has been issued about when Shubman Gill will be sent back to India.

READ | Euro Cup 2020: Italy wins final ticket, beat Spain in penalty shootout

Looking at the long tour of England, the team management wanted to get in-form Prithvi Shaw and Devdutt Padikkal as backup openers. Both these players are currently in Sri Lanka for the limited-overs series and there was a demand from the management to send them directly to England. But according to the Sports Today report, the selectors are not ready to send Prithvi Shaw and Devdutt Padikkal to England.

Mayank Agarwal confirmed to play

Team India has Mayank Agarwal as an opening partner for Rohit Sharma for the England tour. Except for the Australian tour, Mayank Agarwal has done very well in Test cricket. Mayank Agarwal is expected to get a chance in the team in the opening Test.

KL Rahul has been selected as the middle order batsman for the England tour. Since KL Rahul has played Test cricket as an opener so far, he can also be asked to open if needed.

Apart from this, BCCI has kept Abhimanyu Easwaran in the reserve players. Easwaran will most likely go to England as a backup opener.

After losing the final of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final against New Zealand, Indian cricket team players are currently enjoying a 20-day break with their family in England’s Southampton. After the break, Team India is scheduled to play a five-match Test series against England from August 4, for which the players will enter the bio-bubble in London from July 14 and then start preparing for the Test series.

Before the India vs England Test series, Team India also has to play a three-day practice match against Select County XI. Meanwhile, there are reports that the players of the Indian team will be administered the second dose of the Covid-19 vaccine before entering the bio-bubble.

READ | Happy Birthday MS Dhoni: 5 Bold Decisions By Mahi That Proved Game-Changer For Indian Cricket

News agency ANI has quoted sources as saying that the second dose of Covid-19 vaccine will be given to the players of Team India on July 7 and 9.  The source said, “The second dose has been planned for the cricketers and they will be given the second dose of Covid-19 vaccine on Wednesday and Friday.”

The Indian team touring England has already been given the first dose of the Covidshield vaccine. Covishield has been developed in India by AstraZeneca and Serum Institute of India.

After seven members of the England cricket team, including three players, were found to be Covid positive, it has become more important for the Indian team to be given vaccine doses for their safety.

ECB had to select a completely new team for the limited overs series against Pakistan after seven members, including players in England’s men’s team, tested Covid-19 positive.

India vs England

The Indian Test squad is currently on a two-week break in the United Kingdom after playing the ICC World Test Championship Final against New Zealand last month. But, Kohli once again showed why he is a fitness freak as the 32-year-old cricketer took to Instagram to share a video of his intense workout on Tuesday (July 6).

India skipper Virat Kohli and boys are currently on a break in the UK ahead of the five-match Test series against England and the cricketers will be administered their second dose of COVID-19 vaccines on July 7 and 9.

Speaking to ANI, sources in the know of developments said the second round of vaccination has been planned for the boys.

“The second dosage has been planned for the cricketers and they will be vaccinated on Wednesday and Friday,” the source said.

While the Team India players are currently on a break after the completion of the World Test Championship, they are set to go into quarantine in Durham from July 14.

The Indian players are also set to play a warm-up game from July 20 to 22 after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) requested the English and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to arrange for a practice game before the first Test gets underway on August 4.

While speaking to the media in the virtual press conference at the end of the World Test Championship final against New Zealand, Kohli had said his side wanted first-class games ahead of the series against England, but they have not been given that.

Meanwhile, India opener Shubman Gill has been ruled out for eight weeks after he suffered a shin injury post the final encounter at Ageas Bowl in Southampton. Incidentally, pacer Ishant Sharma had suffered an injury to his bowling hand while stopping a ball during the WTC final at the Ageas Bowl and had to get three stitches. But the pacer is set to be fit in time for the England Tests.

“Ishant hurt his bowling hand while stopping the ball and had to get three stitches. But he will be ready for the Tests against England which starts on August 4,” a source had said.

The five-match Test series between India and England, beginning from August 4 is set to be played in front of full capacity crowds after British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Monday announced the easing of COVID-19 restrictions.

The British PM said that they will lift the limit on the number of people attending concerts and sports events.

“We’ll move away from legal restrictions and allow people to make their own informed decisions about how to manage the virus,” Sky Sports quoted British PM as saying.

“From step four we will remove all legal limits on the numbers meeting indoors and outdoors. We will allow all businesses to reopen, including nightclubs, we will lift the limit on named visitors to care homes and the numbers of people attending concerts, theatre, and sports events,” he added.

The matches in the UK have been either played behind closed doors or have been opened to crowds with restricted numbers due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“BREAKING: Full capacities will be allowed back in stadiums from the 19th of July,” England’s Barmy Army supporters of the England cricket team tweeted.

BREAKING: Full capacities will be allowed back in stadiums from the 19th of July  pic.twitter.com/28XDEC2bf7

— England’s Barmy Army (@TheBarmyArmy) July 5, 2021

Reacting to the Tweet, England fast bowler Stuart Broad expressed excitement as he pointed out towards the first Test between the two sides which gets underway from August 4 in Nottingham.

“Trent Bridge 1st Test Vs India,” Broad tweeted.

Trent Bridge 1st Test Vs India  https://t.co/6UzGAnPvIz

— Stuart Broad (@StuartBroad8) July 5, 2021

The WTC final between India and New Zealand last month was played in front of limited fans.

After the WTC final, the Indian team got a 20-day break and the side will regroup in Durham around July 14. The Indian team is also set to play a warm-up game before the series starts. India and England are slated to lock horns in five Tests, beginning August 4.

Meanwhile, opening batsman Shubman Gill Gill injured his shin and has been ruled out for eight weeks. The batsman is unlikely to be a part of the first half of the five-Test series against England.

England fast bowler Ollie Robinson, who was banned last month for his old racist and sexist tweets, got a major relief from England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). ECB on Saturday approved Ollie Robinson to play cricket.

Robinson had to face a lot of criticism for his old tweets. Robinson, however, gave an amazing performance in his debut Test against New Zealand. The speedster managed to take seven wickets in his first match. Robinson’s selection for the five-Test series against India to be played in August-September is almost certain.

READ | ‘Ready To Miss T20 World Cup To Be…’: Injured Steve Smith’s Big Statement

“Following a hearing on 30 June, the Discipline Commission Panel decided that Robinson should be suspended from playing cricket for eight matches, five of which will be suspended for two years,” read the judgement.

“As regards the three matches which are the subject of immediate suspension, the Panel has taken into account the suspension imposed by the England Team from the second Test against New Zealand, together with two of the T20 matches from which Robinson voluntarily withdrew himself from selection for Sussex due to the impact of these proceedings.

“Robinson is therefore free to play cricket immediately.”

The Panel said they took several factors into account in reaching their decision.

“The Panel took into account a number of factors including the nature and content of the tweets, the breadth of their discrimination, their widespread dissemination in the media and the magnitude of the audience to whom they became available,” they said.

“The Panel also considered there was significant mitigation, including the time that had elapsed since the tweets were posted, and a number of personal references which demonstrated that Robinson, who chose to address the Panel, is a very different person to the one who sent the tweets.

“It also took account of his remorse, admissions and cooperation as well as the huge impact which the revelation of these tweets and its consequences have had upon him and his family.”

England pacer Ollie Robinson, who was banned from representing the national side last month after his old racist tweets emerged on social media, has been cleared to play cricket immediately, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed on Saturday (June 3).

“A Cricket Discipline Commission (CDC) Panel today announced its decision in relation to two charges brought against Ollie Robinson,” the ECB said in a statement.

“Robinson had previously admitted breaching ECB Directives 3.3 and 3.4 in relation to a number of offensive tweets which were posted between 2012 and 2014, when he was aged between 18 and 20. The tweets came to light on 2 June 2021, which was also the first day of his first Test match for England,” added the statement.

Cricket Discipline Commission announces decision on Ollie Robinson

— England and Wales Cricket Board (@ECB_cricket) July 3, 2021

The ECB had held a hearing on June 30 and had decided that he would be suspended from playing eight cricket matches. Five of those will be suspended for two years.

For the other three games, Robinson has already served the suspension. He was dropped from the second Test against New Zealand at Edgbaston from June 10 to 14 and then pulled himself out of two Vitality Blast T20 matches for Sussex even though he was allowed to play in them.

“Following a hearing on 30 June, the Panel decided that Robinson should be suspended from playing cricket for eight matches, five of which will be suspended for two years,” the statement added.

“As regards the three matches which are the subject of immediate suspension, the Panel has taken into account the suspension imposed by the England Team from the second LV= Insurance Men’s Test against New Zealand, together with two of the Vitality Blast T20 matches from which Robinson voluntarily withdrew himself from selection for Sussex CCC due to the impact of these proceedings,” it further said.

“Robinson is, therefore, free to play cricket immediately,” the statement concluded.

Robinson had targeted multiple sections of society in his tweets.

Team India head coach Ravi Shastri on Thursday took some time off and went to watch Swiss tennis maestro Roger Federer’s second-round match in the ongoing Wimbledon tournament on Centre Court in London.

Federer will lock horns with French tennis player Richard Gasquet in the second round of the tournament on Centre Court.

Shastri shared a picture of him from the stadium on Thursday.

“Great to be back on a sunny day at @Wimbledon. Great tradition. Centre court beckons in a bit,” Shastri tweeted.

Great to be back on a sunny day at @Wimbledon. Great tradition. Centre court beckons in a bit  pic.twitter.com/tZ1PCIzhQr

— Ravi Shastri (@RaviShastriOfc) July 1, 2021

On Tuesday, Federer had survived a scare in his opening match to register a win over Adrian Mannarino.

Federer staged a comeback against Mannarino to level the game before the French tennis player was forced to retire.

The game 6-4, 6-7(3), 3-6, 6-2 was at level with Federer winning the fourth set but Mannarino retired just at the start of the fifth essay and Swiss tennis maestro got a walkover.

In the first set Federer came out with flying colours but Mannarino levelled up against the star player after a dominant second set tie-break.

Mannarino stunned Federer in the third set when he won an easy game but the Grand Slam champion won the fourth set to stage a comeback and was finally given a walkover as he reached the second round of the tournament.

Earlier in the day, Star India player Sania Mirza and her doubles partner Bethanie Mattek-Sands sailed into the second round of the ongoing Wimbledon Championships.

Sania and her American partner easily defeated the doubles pair of Desirae Krawczyk and Alexa Guarachi in the first round of women’s doubles.

Krawczyk, Guarachi gave a tough fight to Sania and Mattek-Sands in the first set however, the Indian tennis star along with her partner clinched the opening set 7-5.

Riding on the winning momentum, Sania and Mattek-Sands thrashed sixth seed pair of Krawczyk- Guarachi in the second set with a 6-3 win to kick off the quest of Grand Slam in style.

Team Indian cricketers are enjoying a lengthy break after their disappointing loss in the World Test Championship Final to New Zealand last month and on Wednesday (July 1), pacer Jasprit Bumrah chose to spend quality time with his better-half, Sanjana Ganesan.

Mumbai Indians paceman Bumrah recently shared a picture with his wife Sanjana from the couple’s day out in London. “Smiling at you,” Bumrah captioned the post on Instagram.

However, after posting the selfie, Bumrah faced the wrath of irked fans for his poor performance in the WTC final, in which Bumrah didn’t enjoy a great outing as he failed to pick up a single wicket in the crunch game due to which the Indian pace spearhead is facing brickbats on social media.

 

Zero Wicket in WTC still smiling great

— The Falcon (@K23Supriyo) June 30, 2021

 

Wtc final lost , u r smiling … Pls sit some days in room or don’t post some time in social website

— Prudhvi (@Prudhvi22420020) June 30, 2021

 

After seeing this how can you be happy?? U guys not Playing for our india especially when it comes to ICC SF,Finals always failing. When u r playing in IPL u give 100% effort, when u playing for country in Finals and all don’t give 30% effort also. Don’t u feel shame on you. pic.twitter.com/A87BxatjU3

— VIVEK (@Vivek1234556667) June 30, 2021

 

& we are crying because of you.
Atleast don’t write such captions to hurt us

—  (@NM18___) June 30, 2021

 

Watch ur final performance,Watch this boy pain & Keep smile ra lucha pic.twitter.com/usH08U6VEa

— Balaji (@Baaji25) June 30, 2021

India lost the WTC final by eight wickets to miss out on the prestigious Test mace but will be hoping to bounce back in the upcoming five-match series against England.

Team India is currently on a 20-day break from the bubble life in the UK after the World Test Championship Final 2021 against New Zealand. Team India dispersed on June 24 and will subsequently re-group in the bio-bubble on July 14 ahead of the Test matches which will commence from August 4. The players however are not allowed to leave the UK during this time period.

IND Vs ENG Women: The Indian women’s cricket team has lost the ODI series against England. England defeated India by five wickets in the second ODI to take a 2-0 lead in the three-match series. Captain Mithali Raj’s half-century and Shefali Verma’s swashbuckling innings went in vain in front of Kate Cross’s brilliant bowling. In England’s victory, Sophie also made an important contribution to the half-century.

Mithali Raj scored 59 runs off 92 balls with the help of seven fours, while opener Shefali Verma contributed 44 runs off 55 balls. But the rest of the team’s performance in the batting department was disappointing, and the team could only score 221 runs in 50 overs. Got out.

England also stumbled in front of the easy target and after 28.5 overs their score was 133 runs for five wickets. Sophie scored 73 while Katherine Brunt scored 33 to share an unbroken 92-run partnership for the sixth wicket. Both these players led the team to victory with 15 balls remaining. England scored 225 for five in 47.3 overs.

Mithali Raj did not come for fielding

Opener Lauren Winfield Hill contributed 42 runs off 57 balls and Amy Allen Jones contributed 28 runs off 34 balls. Poonam Yadav took two wickets for India at the cost of 63 runs. Jhulan Goswami, Shikha Pandey, and Sneh Rana took one wicket each.

Mithali did not come out to the field due to neck pain and was replaced by vice-captain Harmanpreet Kaur. England won the first ODI in Bristol by eight wickets. The third ODI will be played in Worcester on July 3 followed by a series of three T20 Internationals. The only Test played between the two teams was a draw.

Abhimanyu Mishra became Grand Master at the age of 12, broke this massive record.

The five-match Test series between India and England beginning on August 4 will start the second cycle of the World Test Championship (WTC).

India and England will be locking horns in the first Test from August 4 while Australia will play England in five Tests later this year in Ashes.

According to a report in ESPNcricinfo, these tours will be the only two series having five Test matches in the second WTC cycle.

As per the report, Australia will tour India in 2021 for four Tests. The ICC has not yet decided on the schedule and the venue for the summit clash.

Teams will play three home and as many away series and the tours which were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the opening WTC cycle will not be carried forward.

India will play 19 Tests while Australia and South Africa will lock horns in 15 matches. England will compete in 21 Tests the most by any team in the second WTC cycle.

ICC has decided to give each Test the same number of points. A tie will give each team six points while a draw will earn them four. 12 points will be given to the winning team for each match while one point can be deducted for slow over rates.

“Instead of each series being worth the same number of points, 120, irrespective of whether the series is played over two Tests or five Tests, the next cycle will see each match being worth the same number of points – a maximum of 12 per match,” ESPNcricinfo quoted ICC’s acting chief executive officer Geoff Allardice as saying.

“Teams will be ranked on the percentage of available points they won from the matches they have played.

“The aim was to try and simplify the points system and to allow teams to be meaningfully compared on the table at any point, though they may have played differing numbers of matches and series,” he said.

After losing the World Test Championship title against New Zealand, team India has completely shifted its focus on the upcoming five-match Test series against England.  India’s last three tours of England have made it clear that its batsmen struggle a lot while playing against the duke ball.

Team India last won a Test series in England in 2007 under the captaincy of Rahul Dravid, but then lost 0-4, 1-3, 1-4 in 2011, 2014 and 2018 respectively. There’s a need for consistent effort to turn things around this time and former India captain Sunil Gavaskar feels it can be started by altering India’s opening combination.

READ | Here’s When ‘Sixer King’ Yuvraj Singh Might Return To Competitive Cricket

Gavaskar feels that the Indian team management should try pairing Mayank and Gill in practice matches before fielding either Mayank Agarwal or Shubman Gill along with Rohit Sharma as the opener in international matches. 

“Mayank Agarwal has done a really good job for India, twice he’s scored a double century opening the innings. It’s a good thing that the BCCI and Jay Shah have taken the initiative to conduct some warm-up matches before the England Tests so there you can decide who between Gill and Agarwal can open for India,” Gavaskar told Sports Tak.

India have been playing with Rohit and Gill since the Test series against Australia at the end of last year.  But for 21-year-old Gill, technical mistakes are proving to be an issue for him. Gavaskar believes that making Gill and Mayank open together will reveal whose technique is better.

“Make them open the innings together because Rohit Sharma is a certainly and he can be rested for a game. That would give you an idea who has the better technique for English conditions. And then based on that, they can make a decision whether they want to play Mayank Agarwal or Shubman Gill.” 

Virat Kohli-led Team India, which is unlikely to get any practice match against English counties ahead of the five-Test series against England, will instead have a camp in Durham from July 15 in the lead-up to the first Test that begins on August 4 in Nottingham.

The team is currently taking a break after the loss to New Zealand in the World Test Championship final.

“As far as the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) are concerned, their schedule remains the same. They [India] have a camp in Durham from July 15,” said a statement from ECB in response to a query from IANS.

During their stay in Durham in the second half of July, the Indian team will play two four-day intra-squad matches at the County Ground, Riverside, among their extended squad which comprises 24 players, including four standby players.

“We don’t expect this to change,” added the ECB statement.

The Indian team management was expecting county games.

“We obviously wanted first-class games, which I believe have not been given to us. I don’t know what the reasons for that are,” Indian skipper Virat Kohli had said after the conclusion of the WTC final that India lost by eight wickets to New Zealand.

The focus has come on practice matches against county teams after India’s batting was exposed against the New Zealand bowling attack. The top order, including Kohli and No. 3 Cheteshwar Pujara, couldn’t handle the moving deliveries.

Indian cricket team’s senior speedster Mohammed Shami created a unique record in the India-New Zealand ICC World Test Championship final at The Ageas Bowl ground in Southampton. 

Batting in the first innings of the match, New Zealand were bundled up for 249 runs and the biggest contribution in this was of Mohammed Shami, with which this Indian pacer has created a new history by breaking a 38-year-old Indian bowling record.

READ | WTC Final, Southampton Weather Update Today: Some Respite From Rain As Day 6 Likely To Start On Time

On the fifth day of the rain-hit World Test Championship final, Indian bowlers put the New Zealand batsmen to real test. Struggling hard to score runs, the Kiwis could score 249 runs before getting all out. During this, the most successful bowler for India was Mohammed Shami, who took 4 wickets for 76 runs in 26 overs.

At the same time, apart from him, Ishant Sharma took 3 wickets, Ravichandran Ashwin took 2 wickets and Ravindra Jadeja took 1 wicket for India.

Mohammed Shami breaks Mohinder Amarnath’s 38-year-old bowling record

Mohammed Shami took 4 wickets while conceding 76 runs, with which he broke the 38-year-old record of Mohinder Amarnath. This figure is the record for the best performance by an Indian bowler in the final of any ICC Championship.  

Former India all-rounder Mohinder Amarnath took 3 for 12 against West Indies in the final of the 1983 Cricket World Cup.  Shami has now broken that record.

Best bowling figures of Indian bowlers in ICC finals

Mohammed Shami – 4/76 – World Test Championship Final 2021
Mohinder Amarnath – 3/12 – 1983 World Cup
Irfan Pathan – 3/16 – T20 World Cup 2007
RP Singh – 3/26 – T20 World Cup 2007
Venkatesh Prasad – 3/27 Champions Trophy 2000, Harbhajan Singh 3/27 Champions Trophy 2002

Southampton: India takes on New Zealand in the first-ever World Test Championship, beginning June 18. A tournament that will further give context to Test cricket. Test series’ that were being played in isolation, will have a larger motive, that of the World Test Championship final. 

Southampton Weather Today: Rain To Play Spoilsport Again?

The final match of the World Test Championship between India and New Zealand has reached an exciting juncture at this time, where the result of the match can go in the favor of either team.

Gloomy weather,bad light and rain have spoiled the thrill of the ongoing nail-biting World Test Championship Final between India and New Zealand. 

Ind vs NZ, WTC Final: Southampton Weather Update Today on Day 5

As per the weather reports, on June 23, Wednesday, it will be cloudy in Southampton. Rain is unlikely to affect Southampton’s Rose Bowl on Day 6. There’s also less chance of rain in the evening. Ind vs NZ Day 6 could see a dry day with lots of sunshine.

India has picked three pacers and two spinners. While the Top 5 remain as expected. The batting order – Rohit Sharma, Shubhman Gill, Virat Kohli, Pujara, Rahane and Rishabh Pant – was more or less predictable. 

India Playing XI for WTC Final 2021: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (c), Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah

Southampton: India takes on New Zealand in the first-ever World Test Championship, beginning June 18. A tournament that will further give context to Test cricket. Test series’ that were being played in isolation, will have a larger motive, that of the World Test Championship final. 

Southampton Weather Today: Rain To Play Spoilsport Again?

The final match of the World Test Championship between India and New Zealand has reached an exciting juncture at this time, where the result of the match can go in the favor of either team.

Gloomy weather,bad light and rain have spoiled the thrill of the ongoing nail-biting World Test Championship Final between India and New Zealand. 

Ind vs NZ, WTC Final: Southampton Weather Update Today on Day 5

As per the weather reports, on June 23, Wednesday, it will be cloudy in Southampton. Rain is unlikely to affect Southampton’s Rose Bowl on Day 6. There’s also less chance of rain in the evening. Ind vs NZ Day 6 could see a dry day with lots of sunshine.

India has picked three pacers and two spinners. While the Top 5 remain as expected. The batting order – Rohit Sharma, Shubhman Gill, Virat Kohli, Pujara, Rahane and Rishabh Pant – was more or less predictable. 

India Playing XI for WTC Final 2021: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (c), Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah

Southampton: India takes on New Zealand in the first-ever World Test Championship, beginning June 18. A tournament that will further give context to Test cricket. Test series’ that were being played in isolation, will have a larger motive, that of the World Test Championship final. 

Southampton Weather Today: Rain To Play Spoilsport Again?

The final match of the World Test Championship between India and New Zealand has reached an exciting juncture at this time, where the result of the match can go in the favor of either team.

Gloomy weather,bad light and rain have spoiled the thrill of the ongoing nail-biting World Test Championship Final between India and New Zealand. 

Ind vs NZ, WTC Final: Southampton Weather Update Today on Day 5

As per the weather reports, on June 23, Wednesday, it will be cloudy in Southampton. Rain is unlikely to affect Southampton’s Rose Bowl on Day 6. There’s also less chance of rain in the evening. Ind vs NZ Day 6 could see a dry day with lots of sunshine.

India has picked three pacers and two spinners. While the Top 5 remain as expected. The batting order – Rohit Sharma, Shubhman Gill, Virat Kohli, Pujara, Rahane and Rishabh Pant – was more or less predictable. 

India Playing XI for WTC Final 2021: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (c), Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah

The final match of the World Test Championship between India and New Zealand is now at the final stage. In this match being played at the Aegis Bowl in Southampton, more than two days of play have been ruined due to rain and bad light and hence it will now be played on the sixth day i.e. Reserve Day.

India have taken a lead of 32 runs in the second innings so far and may invite New Zealand to bat again today after taking a lead of 150-200 runs. Although a result is less expected by looking at the time left, but still the spectators can get to see an exciting match. Let’s see what kind of weather fans can be expect today at Southampton.

Watch | Rohit Sharma’s Hilarious Reaction As Virat Kohli Rubs His Hands On A Chilly Southampton Morning

According to the Meteorological Department, the probability of rain on Wednesday is only 5 percent, while the maximum temperature is expected to be 21 degrees Celsius and the minimum is 7 degrees Celsius.

The chances of very little rain at Southampton comes as a big relief for fans who wish to see competitive cricket.

ICC on Reserve Day: “In the event of time being lost during the match, the ICC match referee will regularly update the teams and media about the way in which the reserve day may be used. The final decision on whether the reserve day needs to be used will be announced at the scheduled start of the last hour on the fifth day,” an ICC statement said.

India’s Playing XI: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (c), Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah.

The final match of the ICC World Test Championship Final 2021 between India and New Zealandis being played at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton. The fifth day’s play started late due to rain. The fifth day of the India vs New Zealand WTC Final started with a delay of an hour.

On the fifth day of the Test match, Mohammed Shami’s brilliant spell stopped New Zealand from getting a big lead but Kiwi speedster Tim Southee, apart from scoring some crucial runs, dismissed both India’s openers before Stumps.

READ | Fans Ejected From Ageas Bowl For Hurling Racist Abuse At New Zealand’s Players

New Zealand took a 32 run lead after scoring 249 runs in their first innings. The Indian team, who scored 217 runs in the first innings, have managed to score 64/2 in their second innings at the end of the fifth day’s play and now have a lead of 32 runs.

Virat Kohli’s hilarious video goes viral!

Meanwhile, a video of the Indian captain Virat Kohli has gone viral on social media, in which the star batsman was spotted rubbing his hands together and heating himself due to the chilly weather in Southampton.

Rohit Sharma gave a hilarious reaction after watching Kohli’s on-field antics. The Indian players were wearing sweaters while fielding as the temperature in Southampton was touching around 14°C.

ICC has kept a reserve day for Ind vs NZ WTC Final i.e June 23. ICC has also reduced the ticket prize for the sixth and last day. Now fans can enjoy the historic final after spending less money.

The final match of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) is being played between India and New Zealand at Ageas Bowl, Southampton. Rain continues to wreak havoc on the mega event, due to which two out of four days of play have been canceled without a ball being bowled.

The first day of the Ind vs NZ WTC Final was called off due to rain, while on the second day only 64.4 overs could be bowled. So far only one team’s innings has been completed and in such a situation, this match seems to be heading towards a draw.

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Due to rain, Day 4 of Ind vs NZ WTC Final on Monday was called-off. On the third day as well, the match started late due to wet outfield and had to be called-offearly due to bad light.

Former India cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has said that the ICC should think of a formula to make sure that only one team gets the WTC title.

“There must be a formula to pick a winner in case of a drawn World Test Championship final. ICC’s cricket committee should think and then take a decision,” Gavaskar told Aaj Tak.

Gavaskar said draw is the most likely result now.

“It seems that the World Test Championship final will end up as a draw and the trophy will be shared. This will be the first time that the trophy will be shared in a final,” he said.

“To complete three innings in two days would be really difficult. Yes, if both teams bat really badly, the three innings could be completed,” Sunil Gavaskar suggested.”

Southampton: India takes on New Zealand in the first-ever World Test Championship, beginning June 18. A tournament that will further give context to Test cricket. Test series’ that were being played in isolation, will have a larger motive, that of the World Test Championship final. 

Southampton Weather Today: Rain To Play Spoilsport Again?

The final match of the World Test Championship between India and New Zealand has reached an exciting juncture at this time, where the result of the match can go in the favor of either team.

Gloomy weather,bad light and rain have spoiled the thrill of the ongoing nail-biting World Test Championship Final between India and New Zealand. 

Ind vs NZ, WTC Final: Southampton Weather Update Today on Day 5

As per the weather reports, on June 22, Tuesday, it will be cloudy in Southampton. Rain is unlikely to affect Southampton’s Rose Bowl on Day 5. There’s also less chance of rain in the evening. Ind vs NZ Day 5 could see a dry day with lots of sunshine.

India has picked three pacers and two spinners. While the Top 5 remain as expected. The batting order – Rohit Sharma, Shubhman Gill, Virat Kohli, Pujara, Rahane and Rishabh Pant – was more or less predictable. 

India Playing XI for WTC Final 2021: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (c), Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah

Southampton: India takes on New Zealand in the first-ever World Test Championship, beginning June 18. A tournament that will further give context to Test cricket. Test series’ that were being played in isolation, will have a larger motive, that of the World Test Championship final. 

Southampton Weather Today: Rain To Play Spoilsport Again?

The final match of the World Test Championship between India and New Zealand has reached an exciting juncture at this time, where the result of the match can go in the favor of either team.

Gloomy weather,bad light and rain have spoiled the thrill of the ongoing nail-biting World Test Championship Final between India and New Zealand. 

Ind vs NZ, WTC Final: Southampton Weather Update Today on Day 5

As per the weather reports, on June 22, Tuesday, it will be cloudy in Southampton. Rain is unlikely to affect Southampton’s Rose Bowl on Day 5. There’s also less chance of rain in the evening. Ind vs NZ Day 5 could see a dry day with lots of sunshine.

India has picked three pacers and two spinners. While the Top 5 remain as expected. The batting order – Rohit Sharma, Shubhman Gill, Virat Kohli, Pujara, Rahane and Rishabh Pant – was more or less predictable. 

India Playing XI for WTC Final 2021: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (c), Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah

Southampton: India takes on New Zealand in the first-ever World Test Championship, beginning June 18. A tournament that will further give context to Test cricket. Test series’ that were being played in isolation, will have a larger motive, that of the World Test Championship final. 

Southampton Weather Today: Rain To Play Spoilsport Again?

The final match of the World Test Championship between India and New Zealand has reached an exciting juncture at this time, where the result of the match can go in the favor of either team.

Gloomy weather,bad light and rain have spoiled the thrill of the ongoing nail-biting World Test Championship Final between India and New Zealand. 

Ind vs NZ, WTC Final: Southampton Weather Update Today on Day 5

As per the weather reports, on June 22, Tuesday, it will be cloudy in Southampton. Rain is unlikely to affect Southampton’s Rose Bowl on Day 5. There’s also less chance of rain in the evening. Ind vs NZ Day 5 could see a dry day with lots of sunshine.

India has picked three pacers and two spinners. While the Top 5 remain as expected. The batting order – Rohit Sharma, Shubhman Gill, Virat Kohli, Pujara, Rahane and Rishabh Pant – was more or less predictable. 

India Playing XI for WTC Final 2021: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (c), Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah