With one day to go for the elusive ICC World Test Championship final, former cricketer Irfan Pathan has picked India’s playing XI for the summit clash. Given the quality and depth, India have, Virat Kohli & Co are going to face multiple dilemmas before reaching the final XI for the marquee clash.
The former all-rounder took to Twitter to announce his best set of eleven. Irfan Pathan admitted that it was difficult to leave out Ravindra Jadeja as he went on to prefer a “pure batsman” in Hanuma Vihari, while he opted for the experience of Ishant Sharma over Mohammed Siraj.
“My India Playing XI for #WTCFinal Rohit, Shubman, Pujara, Virat, Rahane, Vihari, Pant, Ashwin, Shami, Ishant, Bumrah. I am tempted to go with Siraj but preferring the experience of Ishant. Difficult to leave out Jaddu but want to prefer pure batsman in Vihari. What say tweeples?” read his tweet.
My 🇮🇳 Playing XI for #WTCFinal Rohit, Shubman, Pujara, Virat, Rahane, Vihari, Pant, Ashwin, Shami, Ishant, Bumrah. I am tempted to go with Siraj but preferring the experience of Ishant. Difficult to leave out Jaddu but want to prefer pure batsman in Vihari. What say tweeples?
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) June 17, 2021
Deep Dasgupta picks two spinners for WTC final
On the other hand, former wicket-keeper batter Deep Dasgupta has backed the two-spinner strategy considering the conditions in Southampton.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Deep Dasgupta stated that Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja have been pivotal in India reaching the finals.
“If you play four seamers, invariably one bowler will be underbowled. Generally, the fourth pacer gets to bowl only 8-10 overs while the other three bowlers shoulder most of the responsibility.
“The other problem is that none of the medium pacers who are in the squad are equipped to bat at No.8, which makes it a long tail,” Deep Dasgupta said.
“The second is that Ashwin and Jadeja are India’s strength across the conditions. Ashwin has bowed really well in the last few series, including the SENA countries. Also the presence of a couple of left-handers in the New Zealand line-up works in favour of Ashwin,” he added.
