The Indian team has announced its playing XI for the World Test Championship final against New Zealand. The Virat Kohli-led team decided to select both their spinners Ravichnadran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja.
Ashwin and Jadeja have all the experience under their bag and they will also add the batting depth to the team.
Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill will be the openers for the team whereas Cheteshwar Pujara will bat at one down. Captain Virat Kohli will take his typical number four position while vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane will bat at number five.
Rishabh Pant, who can turn the match on its head with his blistering batting, will take the wicket-keeping gloves. Pant had scored a whirlwind knock of 121 runs in the intra-squad match. Ravindra Jadeja will bat at number seven whereas Ashwin will be the second spinner of the team.
Veteran Ishant Sharma is picked ahead of Mohammed Siraj as the former has all the experience. Ishant also has the experience of playing in English conditions in County Cricket and also scalped three wickets in the intra-squad match.
Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami are the two fast bowlers of the team and both of them will hold the key against New Zealand in the WTC final.
India has picked a balanced team and they will look to come up with a collective and tick the right boxes. Virat Kohli will look to lead from the front and he is going to play a major role.
India’s Playing XI: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli ©, Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ishant Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami.
The WTC final will begin from today at Ageas Bowl, Southampton.
