India failed their history lessons – and questionable strategy and team construction is copping what it deserves

The first two days for India in the WTC final did not go the way that they would have hoped. Travis Head and Steve Smith were at the forefront of Australia’s outing putting together a 285-run partnership as the Aussies posted a considerable total of 469. In reply, India have a total of 150/5 at the close of the second day’s play, 318 behind Australia. India’s start to the final was severely impacted by their planning and the bowling composition that they settled on.

It is clear that have seemingly overthought their selection process. The Indian management have fallen into the trap of thinking the conditions of the pitch would be far more different from how it normally plays in international Test matches due to it being the first time a Test had been played at the venue in the month of June.

As part of my WTC final preview, I had a look at county cricket matches played in the months of May, June, and July from 2012 to 2022 to get a gauge of how the pitch plays around this time of the year.

The pitch during this timeframe want not any more bowler-friendly

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