'We are planning what lines and lengths will work here' - Axar Patel reveals India's plans for WTC Final amid Dukes ball conundrum

Team India is going to cross swords with Australia in the upcoming World Test Championship (WTC) Final on June 7, at The Oval in London. However, a plethora of cricket action took place over the last two months for most of the Indian squad members via the Indian Premier League (IPL), which is a white-ball-based competition. Therefore, transitioning from the limited-overs format to the ultimate red-ball cricket is never easy.

To ensure better preparations for the summit clash, Indian bowlers trained with the Dukes ball during the recently concluded IPL 2023 in order to tackle English conditions. The prime reason for it is that the SG balls are majorly used in India for the red-ball format, while the Dukes balls are used in England. Therefore, the same balls will be used for the WTC final as well.

In the same vein, ahead of the upcoming marquee final, the star Indian all-rounder Axar Patel stated players trained with the Dukes ball during the T20 cash-rich league. The southpaw also admitted that it will be challenging for players to make a switch from a high-paced T20 format to red-ball cricket but he further claimed that India are well prepared for the twin challenges. To familiarise themselves with the Dukes ball, which is used in English conditions, the ‘Men in Blue’ have been working with it.

"We knew about this before the start of the IPL. So even during the IPL, it was discussed that we will bowl with the red ball. We had red balls, so we were using them. You know when and how to play, how much time you have. This mental switch from white ball to red ball is obviously tough, but we have enough time," Axar told ICC.

Irrespective of the ball, if you bowl a good ball at a good spot, it works: Patel

The left-arm spinner, however, said that the focus is on hitting the right spot irrespective of the ball used. Moreover, Patel also revealed the fact that the Indian bowlers also discussed the importance of lines and lengths which work in English conditions. So the focus has been on bowling in the correct areas more than what brand of ball is being used for the WTC Final.

"We switch from white ball to red ball. It is a similar switch to go from SG to Dukes, you have to use your talent and skill. You have to execute your plan, your bowling rhythm. Irrespective of the ball, if you bowl a good ball at a good spot, it works. So, that's what we're doing. Since the match is in England, which is different from India, we are planning what lines and lengths will work here. The same thing in practice, we are good to go," Patel concluded.

Meanwhile, the Indian squad has arrived in the United Kingdom and is adjusting to the weather. The Indian players can be seen practising for the marquee encounter at the Arundel Castle Cricket Club in various images released by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on its social media accounts.