Australia‘s dominant victory over India by 209 runs in the 2023 World Test Championship final highlighted the impact of preparation and match fitness. While the Indian players were coming off a busy two and a half months of IPL action, many Australian cricketers, who either opted out or went unsold during the auction, arrived fresh and more suited to the demands of Test cricket.

“In an ideal world, of course, we’d want 20 to 25 days to prepare for a game of this importance,” Rohit Sharma has said after the defeat.

Meanwhile, former India player Ravi Shastri highlighted the importance of preparing well for the WTC Final.

“But let’s be honest, that’s not going to happen. And if you want that kind of preparation time, it would mean skipping the IPL. So it’s really a matter of priorities, and something the system needs to think about. I believe the BCCI will eventually look into this. If the World Test Championship final is always going to follow the IPL in June, then there should be specific rules or clauses for franchises especially if their players are set to play in the final,” Ravi Shastri said.

This contrast in readiness was visible throughout the match. Australian batters Steve Smith and Travis Head, who had not participated in the IPL, adapted quickly to the longer format and scored centuries with ease. They exhibited excellent fluency and composure in red-ball cricket. On the bowling front, Australia’s bowlers were disciplined and consistent, maintaining impeccable lengths that suited the Test conditions.

India, meanwhile, showed glimpses of brilliance. Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ajinkya Rahane all played some elegant strokes and seemed poised for big innings. However, their attempts were often undone by poor judgment, with several players getting out while playing unnecessary shots. The Indian bowlers, coming off the high-intensity T20 format, lacked the rhythm and stamina to sustain pressure over long spells, revealing a gap in their red-ball match fitness.