Table of Contents
The World Test Championship (WTC) final stands as a pinnacle event in the cricketing world, drawing anticipation and excitement from fans worldwide. It symbolizes the ultimate showdown between the top two teams in the championship, encapsulating the essence of Test cricket at its finest. However, a recurring question among cricket enthusiasts revolves around the consistent hosting of the WTC final in England only.
England’s reign as hosts of the WTC Final
The inaugural edition being held in Southampton in 2021 and the subsequent final between India and Australia took place at the Oval in London in 2023. Despite hosting it two times already, the upcoming summit clash in 2025 is also set to be held at the iconic Lord’s cricket ground in England, marking the third consecutive time England will host the decider of this red-ball format tournament.
Ravichandran Ashwin’s perspective
The consistent choice of England as the venue for the WTC final has raised eyebrows, prompting discussions within the cricketing community. Ravichandran Ashwin, the veteran off-spinner from India, recently joined the exclusive 500-Test Wickets club and voiced his opinion on this matter.
Ashwin advocated for giving hosting rights to countries like India and Australia, which are prominent members of the ‘Big 3’ club in world cricket. He emphasized that India’s Narendra Modi Stadium could be the perfect venue for the summit clash, showcasing the grandeur of Test cricket in the country.
“The last two WTC finals happened in England. Should we change the venue? Why not Australia or India? We have the massive Narendra Modi Stadium waiting to host another great final. What do you think about that? Another person suggested playing on the home ground of the table toppers. That is also a decent thought. But the Australian weather in June is a little dull, so we don’t know about that,” Ashwin said.
Also READ: Ravichandran Ashwin reveals how Rohit Sharma helped him deal with family medical emergency during the 3rd Test
Ashwin’s confidence in Team India
Furthermore, Ashwin expressed confidence in India’s potential to qualify for the WTC final for the third time in a row and speculated that the final could once again feature Australia as the opponent.
“We still have two home series and an away series. Same with the Aussies. Looking at all of this, I feel yet another WTC showdown awaits us. Of course, we are at a transition, so our fingers are crossed,” the 37-year-old concluded.
WTC 2023-25 points chart
Presently, India leads the WTC 2023-25 points chart with a Points Percentage System (PCT) of 68.21, while Australia closely follows in second place with a PCT of 62.5%. Ashwin’s remarks shed light on the desire among players and fans alike to see the WTC final hosted in diverse cricketing nations, adding to the global appeal of Test cricket’s premier event.
