After losing 11 consecutive coin tosses, Rohit Sharma arrives into the Champions Trophy final against New Zealand on Sunday, uncertain if his losing streak will continue. However, former Indian all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin jokingly hopes Rohit loses his 12th toss, suggesting it might mentally benefit India if New Zealand’s captain, Mitchell Santner, chooses the game’s initial action in Dubai. Ashwin’s unusual comment stems from his belief that losing the toss could actually be advantageous for India’s mindset.
“I think India should not try to win the toss. Let New Zealand decide what to do first. It could create a challenging scenario for India,” Ashwin stated on his YouTube channel ‘Ash Ki Baat’. “Overall, India will be comfortable regardless, as they are adept at both defending and chasing targets.”
Regarding the match prediction, Ashwin anticipates a close contest, leaning slightly towards India due to their previous victory over New Zealand in the tournament.
“I’d say it’s a 54-46 advantage for India. Despite New Zealand’s bowlers posing problems for India before, India remains a formidable team,” he elaborated.
Ashwin also highlighted key individual battles for the final, emphasizing the Kane Williamson versus Ravindra Jadeja matchup as particularly compelling.
“For cricket enthusiasts, the Kane Williamson versus Ravindra Jadeja duel is the most captivating. Williamson adjusts his stance against Jadeja, moving towards leg stump to counter Jadeja’s challenging bowling. He sometimes steps out to play chip shots or cuts from the back foot,” Ashwin observed.
“It’s a strategic game of cat and mouse. Williamson aims to dominate Jadeja, while Jadeja varies his deliveries. This battle between Williamson and Jadeja could be decisive for the game’s outcome,” he concluded.
“Jadeja is faster than typical left-arm spinners, making cut shots difficult and traditional sweeps nearly impossible. Slog sweeps are possible, but not conventional sweeps against Jadeja.”
“Jadeja’s edge over Williamson is his consistent pace against him and the spin he generates, thanks to his release, high delivery point, and ball rotation,” he added.
