The World Test Championship final between India and Australia commenced on June 7 at the Oval ground in England, with Indian captain Rohit Sharma winning the toss and electing to bowl first. However, this decision did not yield the desired outcome as Australia posted a formidable total of 469 runs.

In response, Team India faced a shaky start, losing both openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill after a brief flurry of boundaries. Currently, the team is struggling and at risk of following on. It is speculated that a different player in place of Rohit Sharma could have potentially altered the outcome of the match.

Team India’s precarious situation persists in the World Test Championship final against Australia, with the team losing five wickets for just 151 runs. The partnership of Ajinkya Rahane and KS Bharat currently holds the key for India. The top order, especially the first four batsmen, failed to deliver, with captain Rohit Sharma shouldering significant responsibility. Unfortunately, Rohit Sharma’s poor form continued, as he fell lbw to an inside delivery from Pat Cummins after contributing just 15 runs. This extends his recent period of inconsistent performance, even in IPL 2023, where he struggled to make an impact in several matches.

Rohit Sharma’s failure once again highlights the potential impact of including Yashasvi Jaiswal, who was named as a standby player, in the playing XI. Yashasvi Jaiswal showcased exceptional form in IPL 2023, scoring 625 runs and even registering the fastest fifty in IPL history. His aggressive style of play and left-handed batting could have alleviated the pressure on Team India to score runs in the final.

Yashasvi Jaiswal has also displayed his talent in domestic cricket, making his first-class debut in 2019. With an impressive record of 1,845 runs in 15 matches at an average of 80.21, including nine centuries and two half-centuries, Jaiswal has emerged as a promising batsman. His highest score of 265 runs further solidifies his credentials.

Had Yashasvi Jaiswal been included in the playing XI for the World Test Championship final, Team India would have benefited from the presence of a left-handed batsman. With his aggressive approach, Jaiswal could have relieved some pressure on the team and potentially altered the dynamics of the match.

The omission of Sarfaraz Khan from the Indian cricket team despite his exceptional performances in domestic cricket has left fans questioning the role of BCCI Secretary Jai Shah. Sarfaraz Khan has consistently showcased his talent in domestic cricket, but his aspirations of representing Team India remain unfulfilled.

Sarfaraz Khan’s remarkable record in domestic cricket speaks volumes about his capabilities. With 37 first-class matches under his belt, he boasts an impressive average of 79 in 54 innings, accumulating 3505 runs. Notably, Sarfaraz Khan has registered 13 centuries and 9 half-centuries in this format, including a remarkable triple century. Despite such outstanding performances, the talented cricketer has yet to receive a chance to don the national colors.

The lack of opportunities for Sarfaraz Khan has triggered a wave of questioning among fans, particularly directed at the BCCI. Speculations arise, with some fans suggesting that Jai Shah’s influence as the BCCI Secretary might be a hindrance to Sarfaraz Khan’s selection. It is believed that as long as Jai Shah holds his position, Sarfaraz Khan’s chances of making it into the national team will remain uncertain.

Turning the focus to Sarfaraz Khan’s performance in the Indian Premier League (IPL), the cricketer has been a consistent participant since 2015, representing multiple teams. His IPL journey comprises 50 matches, during which he has scored 585 runs at an average of 22, with one half-century to his credit.

As fans continue to express their disappointment and question the selection criteria, the spotlight remains on Sarfaraz Khan’s potential inclusion in Team India and the role Jai Shah plays in shaping the team’s composition.

In the world of cricket, superstitions play a peculiar role despite the general belief in staying away from them. Each player has their own unique superstition, whether it’s carrying a red handkerchief or wearing the left pad first. Australian batsman Steve Smith is no exception and is associated with a superstition related to his shoes, which originated during the IPL and has now become an inseparable part of his routine.

Smith’s peculiar superstition involves hiding his shoe laces behind his pads before taking the field to bat. This peculiar ritual is often witnessed when he steps onto the pitch. When questioned about the reason behind this behavior, Smith simply states that it helps him play big innings.

The tradition began during the IPL when Smith scored his first century. Since then, it has transformed from a habit into a deeply ingrained superstition. In various interviews and videos, Smith and his teammates have discussed this intriguing trick.

Explaining the origin of his superstition in a video, Smith revealed, “I had a habit of constantly watching my shoelaces while batting, which wasn’t beneficial for my performance. Moreover, the pants of my IPL team, RPS, were not long enough to hide my shoelaces.” He further added, “So, I asked the physiotherapist to conceal the laces inside my socks. Surprisingly, it worked wonders for me, and I scored a century. That’s when this superstition began.”

Recently, in the WTC final against India in England, Smith showcased his brilliance once again. Playing a remarkable innings of 121 runs off 268 balls, he smashed an astounding 19 sixes. This performance highlighted his ability to shine on the grandest stage of cricket.

The superstitions and rituals of players like Steve Smith add an intriguing layer to the game, showcasing the human side of these exceptional athletes. As long as these superstitions bring success and confidence to the players, they will continue to be a part of cricket folklore.