WTC Final: Probable playing XI of India against Australia

India and Australia will play the World Test Championship Final starting tomorrow at The Oval, London, England. The two heavyweights of test cricket will go head-to-head for the ICC Test mace. Here are the probable playing XI of India.

Probable playing XI of India

Top-Order

Rohit Sharma (c)

India’s opening pair of batters will be skipper Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill. In the 2021–2023 WTC cycle, Rohit has scored the fourth-most runs for India. In 10 games, the first batter has 700 cycle runs. In his 17 batting innings, he has two centuries and two half-centuries. 

Shubman Gill 

Shubman Gill, Rohit’s opening partner, has been in exceptional touch this year. The 23-year-old opener has 476 runs, including two centuries and one half-century, in just seven games. One of these centuries came against Australia.

Cheteshwar Pujara

Pujara, who has scored the most runs for India this cycle, will be coming in at number three. In addition to six half-centuries and one century, he has amassed 887 runs. Pujara has consistently scored goals against the Australian team. With an average of 50.82 runs versus Australia, the 35-year-old batsman has scored 2033 runs.

Middle-Order

Virat Kohli 

For India, Virat Kohli will be a key player. According to experts like Ricky Ponting, the former Indian captain is performing at his peak. “And I had a good chat to him about his batting and where he was at and his career. And he said to me then that he actually feels like he’s almost back to his absolute best.” Ponting added while referring to Kohli. In this WTC cycle, Kohli has scored the second-most runs for India. With 869 runs, the number 4 hitter has scored a century and three half-centuries.

Ajinkya Rahane

After being dropped in January 2022, Ajinkya Rahane made a remarkable comeback to the red ball team. In January 2022, Rahane last competed in a test match against South Africa. Due to the absence of players like Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant for the match, he was selected in the squad for the lone test final.

Ravindra Jadeja

In this cycle, Ravindra Jadeja has undoubtedly been India’s finest player. The all-rounder has displayed excellent bat and ball control. Jadeja has scored 673 runs overall, with a 175* score as his highest. During this cycle, he has made two centuries and three half-centuries. The left-arm spinner, who has taken 43 wickets with the ball in hand, is just behind Ravichandran Ashwin and Jasprit Bumrah in the list of wickets taken for India during this cycle. He took two 10-wicket hauls and three 5-wicket hauls.

Kona Srikar Bharat (wk)

In this cycle, KS Bharat has only played in four games. His four games were played against Australia in India’s recent victory over Australia in the Border-Gavaskar trophy. He scored 101 runs in those games, but the squad’s lack of choices for wicket-keeping will likely lead to his selection for the starting XI.

Lower-Order

Ravichandran Ashwin

Rahul Dravid and Rohit are set to support experienced off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin despite the fact that the circumstances will indicate that India should start Shardul Thakur as their fourth pacer. In this cycle, Ashwin has taken 61 wickets. His bowling average was just 19.67. The number 8 for India is also a talented batsman. He has amassed 444 runs, including two half-centuries in the cycle, and India will benefit from his involvement in the final game since he may increase the depth of the batting order.

Umesh Yadav

In India’s lineup, Umesh Yadav will be the third seamer. In eight games, he has taken 20 wickets with an average of 30.55.

Mohammed Shami

As India is without their starting fast bowler, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami will be in charge of the bowling assault. His expertise in England would be an asset. In this cycle, Shami has 41 wickets at an average of 27.12. In India’s bowling lineup in England, where the pacers have support, Shami will be essential.

Mohammed Siraj

Mohammed Siraj, who has 31 wickets in this cycle, would bat at number 11 for India. 18 of his 31 wickets came in England when he was crucial to India’s 2-2 tie in the series. The Australian batsmen may find him to be dangerous due to his raw pace and movement in the air and off the seam.

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