KOLKATA: Cricket fans across the world are eagerly waiting for the India-New Zealand face-off on 18 June to decide the winner of the ICC World Test Championship 2021. In the run-up to the event, the official broadcaster Star Sports has released a promotional film capturing Team India’s journey to the finale and the excitement building among fans around the momentous Test match.

The film, voiced over by cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle, is a narrative on the scintillating journey of the Indian cricket team in the lead-up to this landmark event. The skilful Blackcaps (New Zealand team) are equally eager to create history by becoming World Test Champion for the first time ever.

The channel has roped in 12 sponsors for the mega event, which includes four co-presenting sponsors- Dream 11, Byju’s, Thumbs Up and Car 24 and eight associate sponsors namely Skoda, MRF, Cred, NiyoX, paisabazaar.com, UltraTech Cement, PharmaEasy, and policybazaar.com.

“The World Test Championship will be a defining moment in Cricket, similar to the 1st ODI World cup in 1975 and the first T20 World Cup in 2007," Star & Disney India sports head Sanjog Gupta said in a press statement on Thursday. "Over the last eight years, Star India has invested significant resources and effort to boost interest in Test Cricket. We saw the India v England series earlier this year register record viewership, which strengthened our belief in the appeal amongst core fans for the oldest format of the game. So, it's appropriate that the first-ever 'World Champion' in Test Cricket will also be crowned on the network."

The key rivalries within the match, bringing some of the biggest names in World Cricket up against each other, could decide the destiny of the game and hence, a place in the record books. It will be an Ultimate Test of contrasting leadership styles between the ever-passionate Virat Kohli, and the calmness personified by Kane Williamson.

In the bowling department, bragging rights will be up for grabs as Trent Boult and Jasprit Bumrah lead their respective bowling attacks. The fight between the spin and guile of Ravichandran Ashwin and the tenacious experience of Ross Taylor will be an ultimate battle of tactics. Pujara vs Jamieson; Pant vs Watling; Rohit vs Wagner – the list is long and intriguing; and the ultimate Test winner will be decided by these captivating battles within the match.