Virender Sehwag predicts the winner of World Test Championship

The ICC World Test Championship kicked off on August 1 with the first Ashes Test at Edgbaston. India had their first match under the championship against the West Indies in Antigua which they won comprehensively by 318 runs. The win gave Virat Kohli’s side 60 points as per the rules of the tournament and the world No.1 side is sitting at the top of the table with a runs per wicket ratio better than anybody else. New Zealand and Sri Lanka, too, have 60 points each while Australia and England have 32 points each owing to one win and one draw so far.

India mustered 60 points from their win as against 24 earned by Australia and England since their series against the West Indies features only two matches (the Ashes has five). A draw will fetch them 20 points while for the Ashes opponents, the number is eight. India’s second Test against the Caribbeans begins at Sabina Park, Kingston, on August 30 and the visitors will look to fetch full 60 points to take their tally to 120.

Sehwag feels India have it in them to win the championship

Former India opener Virender Sehwag was satisfied with India’s performance in their opening game of the championship. When asked whether India could go the distance to win the championship, the former swashbuckling batsman said time will be a big factor as a lot of cricket will be played between now and the final of the championship in June 2021. Yet, he felt that India have the balance and stability to win the crown.

“Two years is a long time. Yes, the team is in good hands. I wish Ravi Shastri all the luck for his second innings and Virat Kohli all the very best,” TOI quoted Sehwag as saying. Shastri recently won his second contract as the head coach of Team India following his first tenure that started in 2017. India achieved some memorable feats during his coaching over the last two years.

Sehwag, the only Indian batter to have slammed two triple hundreds in Tests, said India have a good bench, quality fast bowlers and spinners and will only have to zero in on a perfect team combination to deliver.

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