India's predicted playing XI for ICC World Test Championship Final
The Indian cricket team secured its berth in the ICC World Test Championship Final with an excellent performance against England at home. Before the COVID-19 break, the Indian team held the first position on the World Test Championship standings.
However, when ICC changed the points calculation rule, India slipped below Australia. With an away series against Australia and a home series versus England left, Team India’s road to the World Test Championship Final became very intense.
Despite losing the first matches of both series, the Indian cricket team bounced back and won the 4-Test series to join New Zealand in the Top 2.
At the moment, Lord’s is confirmed to host ICC World Test Championship Final. However, according to some reports, the venue could change as well, with Southampton being one of the alternatives.
India will have to form a strong XI to battle New Zealand in the pace-friendly conditions. Here’s a look at Team India’s predicted playing XI for the World Test Championship Final.
Openers - Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma
Great finish to a fantastic test series. We now look forward to World Test Championship 😁 @BCCI pic.twitter.com/H1Q9NkWrgD
— Rohit Sharma (@ImRo45) March 6, 2021
Shubman Gill has cemented his place in the Indian Test team with some great knocks in the red-ball arena. Gill has replaced Mayank Agarwal as the team’s opener, and it is unlikely that the management will drop him for the World Test Championship Final.
Rohit Sharma has sealed his place in the team as well. His 161 against England in the second Test at Chennai is one of the main reasons why India will play the ICC World Test Championship Final.
Middle Order- Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Virat Kohli (Captain), and Rishabh Pant (WK)
"Virat Kohli's India is invincible, like Australia and West Indies teams of the past." - Manoj Tiwary
— CricketMAN2 (@man4_cricket) March 7, 2021
Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, and Virat Kohli have much experience of playing in English conditions. Rahane has a century at Lord’s while even Virat Kohli was incredibly successful in his last tour of England.
Rishabh Pant had made his Test debut on English soil. He even has a hundred to his name in English conditions. Hence, this middle-order will give New Zealand’s bowlers a run for their money.
All-rounders - Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin
Dress how you want to be addressed. #shooting #feelingmyself pic.twitter.com/YGBRfSW3xu
— Ravindrasinh jadeja (@imjadeja) March 7, 2021
Ravindra Jadeja is on the way to being 100% fit and is likely to make his return in IPL 2021. The all-rounder has been a match-winner for Team India in all formats of late. He will likely be the team’s all-rounder along with Ravichandran Ashwin.
Washington Sundar could have made the cut to the playing XI, but Ashwin has played in England before. Also, Ravindra Jadeja’s return will ensure that India has enough depth in their batting because even Ashwin can bat well.
Bowlers - Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Ishant Sharma
Focus on my rhythm 🇮🇳🇮🇳 #INDvENG pic.twitter.com/3BADw4MDxy
— Mohammed Siraj (@mdsirajofficial) March 2, 2021
Jasprit Bumrah and Ishant Sharma will hold the key to India’s success in the pace-friendly conditions of England. The decision of who will be the third pacer will give a headache to the team management.
Mohammed Shami and Umesh Yadav will likely be available for this match but the backroom staff could go with Mohammed Siraj because he has proven himself as an all-condition bowler, having achieved success in Australia and India. Siraj should likely be the third fast bowler of India’s playing XI for the World Test Championship Final.