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The Indian team has experienced a bitter sweet journey in the World Test Championship (WTC). Despite being a strong contender, after reaching the finals in 2021 and 2023, he had to face defeat on both the occasions. First against New Zealand and now against Australia in the recently concluded match at The Oval. Although India has been highly successful in Test cricket, the disappointment of losing in the finals of ICC tournaments keeps haunting them.
Fans are expecting a different result in the third edition of WTC, as shared by ICC recently.
Expressing his concern about the WTC, former Indian opener Aakash Chopra questioned why the ICC does not use its influence on the Test sector to schedule a bilateral series within the WTC cycle. He specifically called for a high-profile series between India and Pakistan, stressing the importance of such a match in an ICC event.
Chopra argued on his YouTube channel that India vs Pakistan matches are an integral part of ICC events and are always scheduled at the start of the tournament to generate commercial success and high ratings. He highlighted the absence of an India–Pakistan series in the last six years, suggesting that if the WTC is indeed an ICC event, all matches within its cycle should be under ICC jurisdiction.
“You don’t play against all the teams. But this is WTC, this is ICC event. It’s been 4 years now… Can you imagine an ICC event without India vs Pakistan? Never happen Could,” Chopra said on his channel.
“It is also an ICC event. If not then explain. Call it bilateral cricket and accept that you have created WTC to glamorize Tests.”
While the rivalry between India and Pakistan continues in events such as the Asia Cup, where they have been placed in the same group, the desire to see a Test match between the two teams remains unfulfilled. The upcoming 2023 ODI World Cup, hosted by India, will provide another opportunity for the teams to meet, but a Test match between them remains a longing.
