(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Ravi Shastri Opposes India as Future Host of World Test Championship Final
The future venue of the World Test Championship (WTC) Final has become a point of discussion among cricket experts, with several voices in the sport suggesting India should host upcoming editions due to its strong commercial appeal. However, former India head coach Ravi Shastri has expressed a differing opinion.
Shastri Backs England as Ideal Host
Speaking to Sky Sports ahead of the final day of the first Test between India and England, Shastri emphasized that England, particularly Lord’s Cricket Ground, remains the best location for hosting the WTC Final.
England has hosted all three WTC finals to date — at The Rose Bowl, The Oval, and now Lord’s — and is expected to remain the preferred destination for future editions.India’s Case for Hosting
Supporters of hosting the WTC Final in India argue that the country brings significant commercial value, audience reach, and fan engagement, making it a strong candidate for future editions. With India being one of the largest cricket markets in the world, the idea of staging the final there has gained traction in certain circles.
However, Shastri, who coached India during the inaugural WTC cycle and was part of the 2021 final against New Zealand, expressed concerns over fan interest, especially in scenarios where India does not qualify for the final.
Karthik Echoes Shastri’s Views
Dinesh Karthik, a veteran Indian cricketer and broadcaster, also supported Shastri’s remarks during the same broadcast. He emphasized the significance of England’s cricketing tradition and neutral playing conditions, which make it a fair and prestigious venue for a global final.
Key Points:
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Ravi Shastri prefers England — especially Lord’s — as the consistent host for WTC Finals.
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England has hosted all three WTC Finals since the tournament’s inception.
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India’s argument for hosting focuses on commercial value and fan engagement.
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Dinesh Karthik also backed Shastri’s view on keeping the final in neutral, historic venues.
As the ICC continues to evaluate future venues for the WTC Final, the debate between commercial appeal and tradition is likely to remain a central talking point in global cricket discussions.
