WTC Final: The Oval set to stage marquee match on June 9 next year

The Oval has been confirmed as the venue for the 2027 ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final, with the marquee Test match scheduled to be played from June 9 to 13.

The 2027 contest will mark the second time The Oval hosts the championship decider after staging the inaugural final in 2021, where Australia defeated India in front of a capacity crowd. capturengo.com

Last year, during the ICC Annual Conference 2025, ECB was awarded hosting rights for the next three World Test Championship Finals, which are 2027, 2019 and 2031. The first three editions of the WTC Final were held at different venues in England, with Lord’s hosting the 2025 final, where South Africa beat Australia by five wickets.

New Zealand claimed the inaugural title by defeating India in Southampton in 2021, before Australia lifted the trophy at The Oval in 2023. The upcoming final will also conclude the fourth cycle of the World Test Championship.

ECB Managing Director of Competitions and Major Events Neil Snowball said England was proud to continue hosting the global showpiece for the longest format of the game.

“We are honoured to be staging the next three ICC World Test Championship Finals in England and Wales, and we’re pleased to confirm that The Oval will play host again next year. The 2023 final at The Oval was a huge hit with broadcasters and fans, and I’ve no doubt that next year’s event will be extra special again.

“This promises to be another fantastic opportunity for cricket fans in this country and from around the world to see the best two Test teams in the world from the past two years taking each other on in a showpiece event,” Snowball said in an ECB statement on Thursday.

The 2027 edition will carry additional historical significance as it coincides with celebrations marking 150 years of Test cricket, adding further prestige to a fixture that brings together the world's two top-performing Test sides over the preceding two-year cycle.

ICC General Manager, Events & Operations, Gaurav Saxena, believes the choice of venue reflects the strong relationship between the ICC and the ECB, while also recognising The Oval's place in cricket history.

“The ICC World Test Championship Final has established itself as one of the most prestigious occasions in the global cricket calendar, bringing together the two best Test teams in the world after two years of sustained excellence and consistency. The confirmation of The Oval as the venue for the 2027 final is another testament to the strong and collaborative partnership between the ICC and the ECB. This partnership was showcased through the outstanding success of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, where both organisations worked seamlessly together to deliver several landmark moments for women’s sport and create an unforgettable experience for players, fans and the wider cricket community.

“The 2027 World Test Championship Final will hold special significance as cricket celebrates 150 years of Test cricket. The Oval has played a proud role in the history of our sport and has hosted some of its most memorable moments. We look forward to working closely with the ECB to deliver another world-class event that celebrates the enduring legacy of Test cricket and creates lasting memories for fans around the world,” Saxena stated.

Australia are currently atop the WTC rankings, with 87.50 percentage points, while defending champions South Africa follow them in the second spot with 75 percentage points. New Zealand, Bangladesh and India occupy the third, fourth and fifth spots, while Sri Lanka, England, the West Indies and Pakistan hold the sixth, seventh, eighth, and ninth places respectively.

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India's new-ball pair of Mayank Yadav and Ashok Sharma created an unusual record during the first T20I against Zimbabwe in Harare.

While both impressed with their pace, they also became the first Indian opening bowling pair in men's T20Is to share the same date of birth.

Mayank Yadav, Ashok Sharma born on same day, script unique India T20I record

The opening T20I between India and Zimbabwe was memorable for more than just the result. India's pace attack started the innings with Mayank Yadav and debutant Ashok Sharma, who were both born on June 17, 2002.

It is a rare occurrence in international cricket for both opening bowlers of a side to have the same birthday. As per Cricinfo, Mayank Yadav and Ashok Sharma became the first Indian pair to achieve the feat in men's international cricket.

Only two other known pairs have previously opened the bowling after being born on the same date:

• Timezeen Rapi and Matthew Faatea (Samoa vs Fiji, 2023) – both born on August 30, 2003
• Edward Taylor and Guillermo Aburto (Chile vs Mexico, 2023) – both born on February 29, 1984

Mayank Yadav and Ashok Sharma, who opened the bowling for India in the first T20I against Zimbabwe, were born on the same day - June 17, 2002 😮

Other pairs born on the same date to open the bowling in an innings in men's international cricket (where data available):
Timezeen… pic.twitter.com/FldZ4zQXKl

— Cricinfo (@cricinfo) July 24, 2026

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The coincidence added another layer to an already special evening for the two young fast bowlers. While Mayank was making his return to international cricket after a lengthy injury layoff, Ashok was fulfilling his dream by making his India debut. Together, they provided India with the perfect start and showcased the country's growing pace-bowling depth.

How did Mayank Yadav and Ashok Sharma perform in 1st T20I vs Zimbabwe?

Mayank Yadav wasted no time in making an impact. Bowling the very first ball of the match, the express pacer dismissed Brian Bennett for a golden duck after India successfully reviewed the on-field decision. It made him only the third Indian bowler to claim a wicket with the opening delivery of a men's T20I.

Operating consistently in the mid-to-high 140 kmph range, Mayank troubled Zimbabwe's batters throughout his opening spell. He repeatedly beat Dion Myers with deliveries that shaped away before removing him for six with a sharp back-of-a-length ball. His opening burst left Zimbabwe reeling at 21/3, putting India firmly in control.

Although Tadiwanashe Marumani scored a few late boundaries in the final over, Mayank still finished with outstanding figures of 2/18 in four overs, conceding runs at just 4.50 per over. He bowled 17 dot balls and was deservedly named Player of the Match for his match-defining spell.

Ashok Sharma, meanwhile, had a quieter but encouraging international debut. The Rajasthan speedster consistently touched the mid-140 kmph mark, troubling Ben Curran and Ryan Burl with sharp pace and disciplined lengths. While he went wicketless, he bowled several testing deliveries that beat the bat and kept Zimbabwe's scoring in check through the middle overs.

Ashok ended his maiden spell for India with figures of 0/29 from four overs. The wickets may have eluded him, but his pace, control and composure suggested he has the tools to become a regular feature in India's fast-bowling setup.

India win first match under captain Shreyas Iyer

India completed a dominant seven-wicket victory to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series and hand Shreyas Iyer his first win as India's T20I captain. The result also ended India's seven-match winless run in the format and snapped Iyer's own streak of seven consecutive toss wins without a victory as captain.

After restricting Zimbabwe to 125/7, thanks largely to Mayank Yadav's fiery opening spell and two wickets each from Mayank and Prince Yadav, India's chase was headlined by Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. The teenager smashed a breathtaking 50 off just 19 balls, reaching the landmark in only 18 deliveries, while Ishan Kishan added a fluent 35 off 24.

Captain Shreyas Iyer remained unbeaten on 28, guiding India to 126/3 in just 13.2 overs with 40 balls to spare. The emphatic chase also became India's fourth-fastest successful pursuit of a 120-plus target in men's T20Is in terms of balls remaining.

Youngest Player To Score Fifty in International Cricket: गुरुवार को वैभव सूर्यवंशी ने अपने इटंरनेशनल करियर पहला अर्धशतक जड़ दिया। यह कारनामा उन्होंने सिर्फ 18 गेंदों में किया। उनकी इस पारी की बदौलत श्रेयस अय्यर की कप्तानी में टीम इंडिया को पहली जीत नसीब हुई। यही नहीं सूर्यवंशी ने इस मुकाबले में सचिन तेंदुलकर का भी रिकॉर्ड तोड़ दिया और इंटरनेशनल क्रिकेट में अर्धशतक जड़ने वाले सबसे कम उम्र के खिलाड़ी बन गए।

Leg-spinner Rohit Yadav (4-49) and pacer C Venkata (3-27) shared seven wickets among them as India U-19 beat Sri Lanka U-19 by 211 runs on the fourth day of the second Youth Test here on Thursday.

India U19 won the two-match series 1-0 after the first contest ended in a draw. It was a spirited comeback from Indians after they lost the preceding Youth ODI series 1-2.

Starting the day on 155 for four, chasing a distant target of 472, the home side was folded for 260 in 76.5 overs, shortly into the post-lunch session.
Skipper Vimath Dinsara, overnight 55, was the first to depart for 64, falling to pacer Pranav Raghavendra.

It was the last nail on Sri Lanka's hopes to at least extend the fight. Rohit Yadav (4/49), who backed the three-wicket haul of Venkata (3/27) the previous evening, soon ran through the lower order to reduce SL U19 to 242 for nine.

There was a token fight from Sethmika Seneviratne (42, 49b, 6x4, 1x6) which only delayed the inevitable. Off-spinner J. Hemuchudeshan brought an end to Sri Lanka's innings and the match, dismissing Seneviratne.

This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever