Renowned cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has expressed his concerns about the Indian players transitioning from the T20 format to the challenging red-ball cricket in the upcoming World Test Championship final. The highly-anticipated match between India and Australia is set to commence on June 7 at The Oval, London. With the recently concluded 2023 edition of the Indian Premier League featuring several Indian stars, Gavaskar believes that switching between these two formats will pose a significant challenge.

Highlighting the vast differences between T20 and Test cricket, Sunil Gavaskar emphasized the adjustment required by the Indian players. Speaking on Star Sports, he stated, “The biggest test will be the fact that just about everybody will be coming out of a T20 format, and Test cricket is a longer format. So, I think that’s going to be the big challenge.”

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Gavaskar further pointed out that apart from Test specialist Cheteshwar Pujara, who has been playing in the English County Championship for Sussex, the rest of the Indian squad has primarily been engaged in T20 cricket. This lack of exposure to the longer format in English conditions will present a significant challenge for the team.

Acknowledging the crucial role that Ajinkya Rahane will play in the WTC final, Gavaskar emphasized the veteran batter’s experience of playing in English conditions. Rahane’s position at number 5 against a formidable Australian bowling unit will be pivotal, and Sunil Gavaskar expressed his belief in Rahane’s ability to deliver. He noted, “He’s got a lot of experience having played in England, having scored runs in England. So, yes, I think he is going to be crucial down at number 5.”

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Sunil Gavaskar also emphasized that Rahane has an opportunity to prove himself and secure his place in the Indian team. With plenty of cricket left in him, Rahane has a wonderful chance to extend his professional career and make a strong comeback. Gavaskar expressed his hope that Rahane seizes this opportunity and makes a significant impact in the WTC final.

As the Indian team prepares for the challenging encounter, Sunil Gavaskar’s insights shed light on the potential hurdles they face in transitioning from T20 to Test cricket, while also highlighting the importance of experienced players like Rahane in the upcoming match.