The ICC World Test Championship 2021-23 final is set to start on June 7 at the Oval. India will be facing Australia in a mouth-watering clash. Both sides have heavy ammunition, and there is plenty at stake. With conditions suited to pace and swing besides good stroke-making on offer, the highly-anticipated finale pits two strong sides out to outwit each other. There are several individual records in sight, and milestones can be achieved. Ahead of a crucial match, we present the key records that can be broken.
2000 Test runs for Virat Kohli versus Australia
Virat Kohli will look to make things count, and a solid knock is due. Kohli has scored 1979 runs against the Aussies in Test cricket and is 21 shy of the 2000-run mark. He will become the seventh batter to reach the milestone in India-Australia Tests. He can also become the 5th Indian to do so.
8500 runs for Kohli
Kohli has so far amassed 8416 runs in Test cricket at 48.93. He is 84 runs shy of the 8500-run mark. He can also surpass Alex Stewart’s tally of 8463 runs. Meanwhile, he is also close to completing 950 fours, having registered 941. Kohli can also become the fifth-highest scorer for India by surpassing Virender Sehwag’s mark of 8503 runs.
Smith eyes these milestones
Australia will look up to Steve Smith for comfort with the bat. The star performer has piled up 8792 runs at 59.80. Smith can surpass former Pakistan legends Inzamam-ul-Haq and Javed Miandad regarding runs. Meanwhile, the right-handed batter is also closing in on 2000 runs versus India. He has scored 1887 runs at 65.06. He can become just the third Aussie to register this record. Smith has 8 tons against India and is one shy of becoming the second-highest centurion in IND-AUS Test matches after Sachin Tendulkar (11).
Pujara and Jadeja can surpass these Indian greats
Cheteshwar Pujara has scored 7154 runs at 33.88. He can surpass former Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly regarding runs (7212). Meanwhile, left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja has claimed 264 scalps at 24.22. He needs three more to avoid former Indian legend Bishen Singh Bedi, who managed 266.
5000 runs for Rahane
Ajinkya Rahane could find himself playing in India’s middle order after making a comeback. With Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant, and KL Rahul’s nursing injuries, it’s a perfect time for Rahane to make amends. The stylish batter has accumulated 4931 runs and is 69 shy of the 5000-run mark.
4500 runs for Khawaja
Usman Khawaja has scored 4495 runs at 47.81. He needs five more to register a mark of 4500 Test runs. Meanwhile, the southpaw is also on the verge of 500 Test fours, having smashed 484.
Starc can become the fifth-highest wicket-taker for the Aussies
Left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc has claimed 306 Test scalps at 27.52. He needs five wickets to get past Brett Lee, who managed 310 scalps for the Aussies. Besides, Starc needs eight wickets in this Test to surpass Mitchell Johnson, who managed 313.
50 wickets against India for Cummins
Pat Cummins has managed 46 scalps versus India in Test cricket at 25.45. He is four shy of the 50-wicket mark. He can equal Johnson’s tally of 50 versus India. Meanwhile, Starc can also get to 50 scalps versus India, having managed 44 wickets to date.