Ravi Shastri to prioritize the WTC Final over IPL, and this strong view has sparked a major debate in Indian cricket. After painful defeats in the World Test Championship (WTC) finals, first to New Zealand in 2021, and then to Australia in 2023, fans and experts have started asking tough questions. One of the biggest is now clear:” Should players skip the IPL to prepare better for Test success?”
Back in 2023, Indian players entered the WTC Final just days after finishing their IPL matches. As a result, they looked tired and unprepared. Shifting from high-speed T20 games to the longer Test format isn’t easy. Captain Rohit Sharma even said,” The team needed 20–25 days to prepare.” However, Shastri disagreed. “Let’s be realistic,” he said. “You’re not going to get those 20 days. And if that’s the case, then you’ve got to miss IPL.” His words hit home for many fans still disappointed by India’s repeated failures.
On the other hand, Australia showed what good planning can do. Players like Steve Smith and Travis Head skipped the IPL. They came into the final fresh, well-rested, and fully focused. Not surprisingly, both scored centuries. Their win wasn’t luck. It was the result of smart decisions.
Looking ahead, Shastri has urged the BCCI to take strong action. He wants top Test players to have the option to skip some IPL games if India qualifies for the WTC Final. This doesn’t mean the IPL isn’t important. Rather, it’s about giving India the best chance to win a trophy that truly reflects greatness in the longest format.
The WTC Final isn’t just another match. It’s a rare opportunity for India to prove itself on the global Test stage. Test cricket demands more time, focus, and mental strength, things that back-to-back T20 games don’t allow.
Of course, some critics might think skipping IPL games is too harsh. Yet India’s back-to-back losses suggest otherwise. Something has to change.
Hence, Ravi Shastri to prioritize the WTC Final over IPL is more than just a remark; it’s a wake-up call. If India wants to win the red-ball crown, it must plan smarter and choose wisely. Missing a few IPL matches may just be the key to finally lifting the WTC trophy.
