Mohammed Siraj missed out as India announced their playing XI for the World Test Championship final against New Zealand. Given his form in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, where he was India’s highest wicket-taker, Siraj was expected to be part of the final XI. But the team management chose experience over youth.
Ishant Sharma will be leading the pace attack which includes Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammad Shami. All the three pacers were part of the previous UK tour, in 2018.
Rohit Sharma will be opening the innings with Shubman Gill, who pipped KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal for a place in the final XI. Cheteshwar Pujara will bat at three and will be followed by skipper Virat Kohli. Vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane will bat at 5.
India have picked two spin-bowling all-rounders – Ravindra Jadeja and R Ashwin. Jadeja’s selection comes as a susprise as he hasn’t been a regular member of the final XI in overseas conditions. He only played 1 Test on the England tour in 2018.
Ashwin was an automatic selection and will spearhead the spin bowling duties. Both the spinners can also make handy contributions with the bat.
Speaking to the press on the eve of the final, captain Kohli was of the opinion that the best team can’t be decided on the basis of just one match. “If you are talking about Test team and deciding the best team based on one match over a period of five days, that is not the reality. This for us is just another Test match. The one-off Test is not going to reflect the truth. But the reality is what have done over the last 4-5 years. We are focussing on our processes. We are not here for a one-off Test. We are here for six Tests and the first Test begins tomorrow,” he said.
The inaugural World Test Championship final will be played at Rose Bowl, Southampton, from June 18 to 22. While India made it to the final with 12 wins in their account, NZ registered 7 victories on their way to their 3rd ICC final in 7 years.
New Zealand haven’t named their playing XI for the final.
India’s playing XI: Virat Kohli (Captain), Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant, R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Ishant Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Shami
