Team India opening batsman Rohit Sharma and New Zealand Trent Boult, two of the main players for Mumbai Indians and for their respective national teams started preparing for the upcoming World Test Championship (WTC) final months in advance, against each other during the incomplete 2021 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

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Shane Bond, who is the bowling coach of the Mumbai Indians, speaking in the press conference organised by broadcaster Star Sports ahead of the summit clash spilled beans on how the left-arm Kiwi pacer sledged his MI skipper during the nets and suggested it will be one of the most exciting contests to look forward to during the final.

Recalling the banter between the two Bond said, "Even during the IPL season, Trent boult would run in and hit him on the pad and telling him that is what will happen at the World Test Championship Final. They were talking about it months before which was just brilliant. They were aware that they will come up against each other.

“I love Rohit Sharma as a player and see him almost like a Matthew Hayden type of role where he goes out in difficult conditions and imposes himself. He scores fast and that instantly puts pressure on the bowler. So I cant wait for the Boult vs Sharma battle with all the banter that has been going on,”  Bond added.

It will be the first time that Rohit Sharma will be opening the batting in England, who started playing as an opener in the longest format only in 2019. Sharma, who did play on the side's tour to England played at No 6 position in the batting line-up.

As for Boult, who had taken a break after the suspension of the IPL, returned in the second Test against England and took a total of 6 wickets in the two innings and formed a lethal duo with Matt Henry, who starred for the Kiwis in the absence of Tim Southee and Kyle Jamieson.