'He will get runs for India' - Former Australian cricketer Greg Chappell feels star India batter will dominate WTC final 2023

Indian Team & Greg Chappell (Source: Twitter)

India and Australia are gearing up for the ultimate Test clash in the second edition of the Test Championship Final (WTC) 2023 starting from June 7 to 11 at The Oval. While Rohit Sharma and Co will be aiming to lift the maiden title after a heartbreaking loss to New Zealand in the 2019-2021 cycle, they will be without the services of key players. Hence, India will rely heavily on veteran batters including Virat Kohli to get them going.

Kohli regained his rhythm after suffering through the darkest period of his career for over three years. Since his maiden T20I century in the 2022 Asia Cup, he has scored centuries in other formats of the game, including in the recently concluded Indian Premier League. The 34-year-old also ended his century drought in the longest format after blasting his 28th Test ton against Australia in March of this year during the fourth Test for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Meanwhile, former Australian captain Greg Chappell spoke about the playing conditions at the Oval and backed Kohli to dominate on English soil against Pat Cummins' side. The legendary batter also recalled the star Indian batter's struggles during the 2014 and 2021 Test series against England, but expressed hope that the current situation will suit him.

"Virat Kohli was asked a lot of questions in England in 2014 and 2021 by Anderson, Broad and the rest of the English bowlers. They bowled some excellent lines and lengths to him in conditions that suited them. They knew he is the best and lifted themselves up when bowling to him. To think or say that the Australians will be able to do the same from ball one is not correct. The English know their own conditions better than anyone else in the world", he said on the show 'Backstage with Boria Majumdar'.

He is someone who can make a telling difference: Greg Chappell

Kohli has scored 1,979 runs, eight centuries and five fifties at an average of 48.26 in 24 Tests against Australia. He has played 92 matches against Australia in all formats and has amassed 4,945 runs at an average of 50.97.

Chappell further added: "Virat loves to bat against the Australians. We have seen that in Australia. His record is evidence how good he is. The Oval from all of my experience is going to have bounce and it will suit Virat. You have said to me that the weather has stayed dry so far. If the weather continues to stay dry the Oval is as close to an Australian wicket in England as you will ever get. And that will suit Virat. I think if he is mentally switched on like I have said to you earlier in the conversation, he will get runs for India. He is a very good player and someone who can make a telling difference."