Aakash Chopra feels the team that tops the World Test Championship (WTC) points table in the 2021-23 cycle should host the tournament final. The ICC has announced the schedule for the next WTC cycle 2021-23 along with a few changes to the points system. However, the host nation for the all-important final is yet to be decided.
The nine Test teams will play a total of six series: three home and three away just like the previous edition. Apart from the India-England series, the Ashes later this year will be the only other five-match affair in the second cycle which will end in June 2023. Australia’s tour of India next year is the only four-Test series in the upcoming cycle.
Aakash Chopra Suggested Team Topping The WTC Points Table Should Host The Final
In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra suggested that the table-toppers at the end of the WTC league phase should have the privilege of hosting the final.
“There are a couple of suggestions. You will not be able to change anything else as you have already announced that there will be only six series and home and away will have the same weightage but I have a suggestion for the final. The team that tops the WTC table should host the final.”
The former Indian batsman added that this should be the case if it is a one-off encounter.
“You might have to move the final two-three months here or there because of that but it is fine if you are playing just one match. If you are going to have three, it is great, then you can do it anywhere.”
Several cricketers and former players, including Virat Kohli and Ravi Shastri, have asked for the WTC final to be a multi-match series. It will be interesting to see if the ICC can accommodate such a format, considering it would require almost a month in an already congested cricketing calendar.
The next WTC Final will now be played in 2023 and Virat Kohli like coach Ravi Shastri and former legendary batsman Sachin Tendulkar feels one match is not enough to determine the winners. Virat Kohli also felt that a three-match Test series will give both sides a good chance of making a comeback after losing the first game.
Aakash Chopra Wants The Toss Be Removed In The WTC Final
Aakash Chopra also wants the visiting team to have the right to bat or field first in such a scenario. Aakash Chopra wants the toss to be done away in the all-important WTC final.
He explained: “When you are doing this, you should eliminate the toss. You should give the toss to the visitor, he can decide but it should happen where the hosts are.”
The 43-year-old signed off by stating that the hosts being part of the WTC final will also ensure that the stadium is filled with fans.
“When you do it in the host nation, there will be huge crowds which you are always worried about. So you will not have to think too much about that.”
While these are interesting suggestions, the ICC is likely to prefer pre-defined dates and a fixed venue for the WTC final. While fans did not get the desired start on Day 1 of the final clash between India and New Zealand in the inaugural World Test Championship (WTC), Day 2 saw Kane Willaimson’s side win the toss and opt to field at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton which later saw New Zealand winning the final by 8 wickets.