WTC 2023 Final: Dinesh Karthik shares images of The Oval pitch, Michael Vaughan in favour of bowling first

The pitch at the Oval has come under the scanner after pictures emerged of a green top being prepared for the World Test Championship Final between Australia and India. Senior Indian wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik, who will be on commentary duties for the summit clash, shared the latest pictures of the surface, inducing a response from former English skipper Michael Vaughan.

India’s road to redemption is just one hurdle away as they square off against rivals Australia in the WTC Final at the Oval, commencing on June 7. The match, which is billed as the battle of the two best Test sides in the world, could see the Aussies gain a significant advantage in the early stages after the pictures of a greenish surface at the venue did the rounds on social media.

Veteran Indian wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik, who is still part of India’s white-ball setup, shared the latest pictures from the venue, highlighting the cover of green grass at the surface. Although he mentioned in his latest update that the length of the grass was reduced significantly, the former England skipper responded to his tweet, suggesting teams bowl first at the venue as the pitch will get better as the match progresses.

Vaughan feels that the cloud cover during the opening day of the blockbuster clash will assist the seam bowlers, suggesting the toss-winner to bowl first in a bid to take advantage of the overcast conditions. The surface at the Oval has traditionally witnessed help for the slower bowlers as the match progresses with the former English skipper also reckoning the same as the pitch will offer less to the seamers post the first day.