India Are Favourites To Lift 2021-23 World Test Championship, Opines Brad Hogg

Former Australia spinner Brad Hogg reckoned that Virat Kohli-led India will be the favourites to lift the second edition of the World Test Championship in 2023.

On Monday, India registered a 151-run victory over England in the second Test at Lord’s after the hosts were bowled out for 120 in the second innings.

Earlier in the day, the game looked in England’s bag after they dismissed the dangerous Rishabh Pant and Ishant Sharma, but the Indian tail-enders clawed their side’s way back into the game with a meticulous fight.

Mohammed Shami (56*) and Jasprit Bunrah (34*) combined to build an unbeaten 89-run stand for the ninth wicket as India’s lead was mounted up to 270.

India are favourites to win the 2021/23 World Test Championship: Brad Hogg

Hogg said that he does not see any alternative in world cricket that can stop the Indian juggernaut at this point and called India fighters, who want to win at any cost.

“This Indian team is going to cause a lot of havoc and they are the favourites to take the WTC in the second cycle running. I cannot see another team cracking the code of this culture right now,” Hogg said on his YouTube channel. 

“What I love about this team is that they are creating a positive culture of a team that wants to go out to win every contest. It does not matter what situation they are in, they are fighters, they get themselves out of tough situations,” he added. 

Virat Kohli is creating a fantastic culture in the team: Bradd Hogg

In January this year, the Indian team suffered a heavy blow after their core team was benched owing to various injuries just before the final Test against Australia in Brisbane, the series was tied at 1-1 before the decisive match at the Gabba.

Mohammed Siraj, playing in his third Test, led an inexperienced bowling attack against the Australians, he stunned them with his maiden-wicket haul in the second innings, yet the hosts managed to set a target of 328.

On the final day, when all three results were possible, wicketkeeper-batsman Pant turned the game in the visitor’s favour while scripting a historic chase to retain the 2020/21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Hogg feels that skipper Kohli is creating a great culture in the Indian team.

“Looking back at the Brisbane Test, I just thought is this a one-off or are they the real deal? Now this Lord’s Test match shows me that they are the real deal. Virat Kohli is creating a fantastic culture,” Hogg said. 

Also Read: India Will Win The Series 4-0 Or 3-1 As England Is A ‘Two And A Half Men’ Kind Of A Team, Reckons Sunil Gavaskar