Aakash Chopra, the former Indian cricketer, has voiced his belief that the World Test Championship (WTC) final should not be limited to a single match if a three-match series is not feasible. While the first two WTC finals were solitary affairs, the upcoming cycle is also slated to follow suit. Nevertheless, Chopra expressed his view in a YouTube video, asserting that if a three-match series cannot be organized, the team finishing atop the league stage should be declared the champions.
Chopra contended, “If you have a tournament spanning two years, then let it be three matches. Some people argue that it cannot be done, but why not? If it cannot be done, then perhaps it should not be played at all.” He firmly believes that the pinnacle event of the World Test Championship should feature a three-match series, offering a fair and comprehensive platform to determine the deserving champion.
The former opening batsman put forth several suggestions on how the three-match series for the WTC final could be structured. One option he proposed is to have the series played as home games for the team that finishes first in the league stage, granting them the advantage they have earned. Alternatively, each team could host one match, with the third game held at a neutral venue.
Chopra drew attention to the contrasting format of the ODI World Cup, which entails a round-robin league stage followed by semi-finals and a final. He questioned why the WTC final couldn’t adopt a similar approach, conducting a three-match series to determine the ultimate winner.
In addition, Chopra recommended revisiting the point system used in the World Test Championship. He suggested the introduction of extra points for away victories, further amplifying the significance of winning matches on foreign soil and infusing the championship with heightened competitiveness.
