WTC Final: First session on Day 1 washed out due to persistent drizzle

There is bad news for all the cricket fans as the rain has interrupted the highly-anticipated final of the inaugural edition of the World Test Championship (WTC). India and New Zealand are scheduled to play the final from June 18 to June 22 at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton. However, the first session of the game has been washed out due to the persistent drizzle in Soutampton.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) took to their official Twitter handle to give an update regarding rain washing out the first session of Day 1 of the WTC final. “Update: Unfortunately there will be no play in the first session on Day 1 of the ICC World Test Championship final,” BCCI tweeted.

Update: Unfortunately there will be no play in the first session on Day 1 of the ICC World Test Championship final. #WTC21

— BCCI (@BCCI) June 18, 2021

The chances of the match resuming anytime soon at the Ageas Bowl looks extremely slim. Adding to the misery, the weather forecast has predicted rainfall in Southampton for all five days from June 18 to June 22. Though the International Cricket Council (ICC) has kept June 23 as a reserve day to make up for any loss of game, the forecast for the reserve day also isn’t very pleasing.

In case, the final of the World Test Championship is Washed out due to rain or the match ends in a draw, the Test mace will be presented to both Virat Kohli and Kane Williamson as India and New Zealand will share the trophy.

India has two spinners in their Playing XI 

The overcast conditions aren’t ideal for the Indian playing XI. On Thursday, the Virat Kohli-led side announced the playing XI that will take the field against New Zealand in the showpiece event. India has decided to go with two spinners and three pacers in their bowling combination which can cause problems if the overcast conditions persist.

The Indian bowling attack features Ravi Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja as two spinners. The two players provide depth to the batting line-up as they can very well essay the role of lower middle-order batsmen for the team. For the seam attack, India has trusted experience as they picked their three senior-most pacers in the form of Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami, and Jasprit Bumrah.

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